integration

Sheer Genius…and Its Mom

Have you seen the Piano Guys video of their rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High that’s been floating around on Facebook recently? I saw the video link for days upon days before I finally clicked on it tonight. Incredible. For those who haven’t seen it yet, here’s the link: Piano Guys: Angels We Have Heard on High I’ll wait while you go listen to/watch it.

So, I just watched this, and do you know what went through my mind?

What kind of mothers did these men have?

That’s what I wondered. I imagine that they had to actually spend time exploring in order to get to the place where they are so comfortable around the piano to play with it like that. This is not normal, folks. In case you didn’t notice, most people don’t do these things with a piano. They are comfortable with it. They aren’t afraid of getting it wrong.

And their mothers likely let them explore more than I think I have done with my kids.

Here’s the deal: I’m a rule follower. And those guys, they are breaking a lot of rules. And it’s magical.

Here’s to allowing our children break some rules in the name of exploration. Here’s to letting go of the fear of the unknown and allowing them to expand their understanding of things. And running with it. They might actually surprise themselves and everyone else in the process. This is sheer genius. But it isn’t in a box, neat and tidy, and following anyone’s rules. Creativity is like that.

I’m inspired to let my children play around with things in ways that seem out of the ordinary. Not in a destructive way, but in a way that I might not have ever considered before. I don’t want to be the limiting factor in their lives. God gives some people eyes to see things differently than we do. Do we fight that or embrace it? Why do I struggle with this concept? Why do I rein them in when they are thinking of unique ways of tackling a project or a problem? I think I am trying to save them from making mistakes and wasting time. Or from being seen as silly or unusual. But, it is in the different that our imaginations are captivated. Brilliant minds do things differently than the status quo.

And I’ll bet they have moms who give them the freedom to explore. Let’s be those moms.

Photo credit: Pinterest

Filed Under: VW Front Page Tagged With: homeschooling, insight, integration, mothers

I’m bored…

20 May By Tonya 2 Comments

Those are probably every mother’s most despised words. Well, at least they are up there with “He’s touching me!” or something along those lines. They really get me riled up. They cause me a moment of panic, to be honest. How am I failing my children to give them the opportunity to feel bored? Am I not challenging them enough? Not offering enough insight and purpose?

bored: adj; feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one’s current activity.

I haven’t had the luxury to be bored in a few years. You know: children, homeschooling, home business and all. Lazy at times, perhaps. Bored? Not so much. I’m sure every mother can relate to that sentiment. Our work is never done, so if we are lacking something to do, we just need to look beyond our noses to find the next thing.

When I am faced with these words as they pop out of the children’s mouths on those rare occasions they didn’t think before they spoke, I just cringe. What? Don’t you know that this moment, right here and right now is a gift? Don’t you know that you are not guaranteed the next minute? How on earth can we waste our existence by being bored? If you knew you only had 2 days left to live, would you be bored right now? What would you do that would glorify God? Go do that!

I certainly understand the moments of the loss of focus. I think most of us have had that happen. But, what a shame to let those moments define our days.

As we are entering into the summer months, that temptation to be bored is ever present. How can we spur our children on to redeem the time rather than waste it on frivolity? I’m not saying that we ought to remove all pleasure and entertainment from their lives. But, again, it shouldn’t define it either.

Lately we’ve been inspired to get some sort of family economy going, where the kids are integral in it. We want to teach them how to run a successful business. We just need to find something that they can practice with, take responsibility for, and not worry (too much) if it flops. The main thing will be to teach them the accounting, the drive to seek out business, the creativity to think outside of the box, and the gumption to do it even when it is hard. Perhaps that Family Economics Conference we went to inspired us more than normal. I’m excited for the children in this endeavor. They have all tried a few things, like dog walking and yard care. But, we live out in the country, and we only have a handful of neighbors. Most aren’t in the market for these things. And, if they are, well, there are only a couple of people. Not really the makings for a booming business.

The internet is available, which is really exciting. It really opens up doors for us that might otherwise be unrealistic.

So, what ideas do you have? Reselling seems popular. I’d love to find something that the kids could really get behind (but not want to keep it all for themselves!). Any current or upcoming fads we could get in on? I’d love it if they came up with their own idea. Doesn’t that sound fun?

Another way we can quell the boredom is by ministering to others. Some ideas I have include visiting nursing homes so the girls can play their musical instruments for the residents. They haven’t quite mastered their harp yet, but it’s hard to make a harp sound bad. It is just so soothing. They can offer to walk the neighbors’ dogs, rake up pine needles, bake cookies or breads for friends as a surprise to them, or write letters to grandparents and cousins. I think I may put a list on our refrigerator for them for those moments when the “b” word nearly slips from their lips. They will have a go-to place to find something profitable to do with their time.

Faith practicing her harp

Please, share ideas that you have. I’d love to get more items on my list for the kids. What are you going to do to battle the boredom bug?

Photo credit: Conlawprof / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Filed Under: VW Front Page Tagged With: bored, industry, integration

Integration?

13 May By Tonya 12 Comments

I have been at the Family Economics Conference this past week soaking in the words and wisdom of many godly and gifted speakers. As I was listening, I was thinking, connecting dots, examining our life and the way we do things as a family.

Integrate: to bring together or incorporate (parts) into a whole; to unite or combine. from the Latin integratus to renew, restore

We are a family of homeschoolers, but more than that. We integrate our children into our daily lives. We integrate them into the worship on the Lord’s Day. They sit with us in church, they worship our Lord with us. We don’t farm them off to nurseries or children’s church. The thought of them not being right with us during the worship is hard to even comprehend, much less bear. We also integrate our children into our daily lives. They help run the home, they help keep us organized. After listening to many of the speakers, my husband has encouraged me that we really need to integrate them more into the family economy. I have to admit that I have been slow to adopt this vision for our children. I am very protective of my little business. I am “particular” about the way things need to be done. I desire excellence in it, from start to finish. I fear that it may not be as much so with the children because, well, let’s face it, I don’t see it in their bedrooms or the dishes just yet. But, is the problem totally with them, or am I to blame somehow in this? I do think I share in this more than I’d like to admit. So, when we get home, our plan is to integrate them more into the business. Pray for me please. That I will be filled with grace and patience, that I will be able to teach them effectively, and that we will take great joy in the process of learning together how to make this work.

But, why do we do all of this integration? It really is a lot of work to get there. Yes, there is much joy and grace from the Lord towards our family in doing it. We really like being together. When I consider the thought of them going off to a school, public or private, I get teary-eyed thinking of them being away from me and each other all day. I can’t stand the idea of someone else getting their best all day. But, is there more to it than that?

Then it hit me. The opposite of integration is disintegration.

Disintegrate: to separate into parts or lose intactness or solidness; break up; deteriorate; to decay; to reduce to particles, fragments, or parts; break up or destroy the cohesion of.

Um. No thanks. THAT is what we are trying to avoid. We love the cohesion of our family. We believe with all we have that it is what God desires for our family, for your family, for all families. It isn’t about control or fear or anything else negative. It is about glorifying God, raising our children in hope, teaching them about the One who created them for His glory and purposes.

We’ve seen disintegration long enough in the world. Let’s start building up, breathing life into our children, giving hope. Let’s show them a better way to live: together, in Christ, for His glory.

What areas can you re-integrate your children into your life? Surely all of us have an area that we have neglected. None of us have arrived yet, have we? Perhaps some have done a much better job at seeing this than we have. Let’s learn from them and stand on their shoulders. Let’s redeem the time together. And remember the promise from Joel 2:25, “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust…” Walk together, integrated, in hope and joy, knowing that it is never too late to reclaim your family for the Lord’s delight. Embrace these blessings that the Lord has given you. Let’s repent where we have failed due to laziness, ignorance, stiff-neckedness (is that a word?). And embrace our callings as mothers who carry much responsibility and privilege. Who’s with me?