Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one of the really cool things about having your own business!). The only bad thing about yesterday is that two of the kids are still sick-they have that cold with the horrible cough and congestion.
So, needless to say, I've been going a little stir crazy and was so happy for the extra help.
The kids were excited too. They love spending time with their Dad.
In fact, on days he does work, there's a terrible commotion when he comes home. As soon as the van pulls in the driveway, the kids run to the window and start yelling, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" in that familiar, excited child chant. Next, as Wade comes up the sidewalk, they all scramble to get to the front door-usually getting in trouble for pushing to see who gets to stand right at the opening. Finally, the front door opens, and everyone cries, "Daddy, you're home!" They jump up and down while they wait for their turn to be picked up and hug.
There's nothing my kids like more than spending time with their Dad, and I hope the same is true for you too!
So, on Wade's day home yesterday, he decided that he needed to get the garage organized. Of course, everyone wanted to go out and help; and I was just to eager to get some breathing space. Since the garage is heated, they could have a little fun without it slowing down their immune system.
They were probably out there for three hours, but it seemed like only three minutes before they were back inside and desperate for something to eat.
As I fixed them something, I listened to stories from the garage. One that nine-year-old Nathan told me really caught my attention.
Wade prefaced the story with the fact that he's teaching Nathan to be a problem solver. While they had been working, he told Nathan about a problem and how it was solved.
Afterward, Wade had asked Nathan, "Do you see how you can solve any problem when you want to?"
"Yeah," Nathan had answered, "well, yeah, except I know I can't lift a car?"
How like Nathan. He is so exact and tries to immediately think about any exception that may exist to any statement or principle.
But now Nathan picked up telling the story, "Yeah," he laughed, "I told Daddy there was no way I could lift a car!"
I was all ears.
"So, Daddy said I could do anything I wanted and took me over to the car and I lifted the car."
What! Nathan lifted a car? Did Wade tap into some type of mental super-strength for my child to lift the front of a car?
"So," I asked, wide-eyed, "how exactly did you lift the car?" I wasn't really sure I was prepared for the answer!
"It was easy," Nathan said with sparkling eyes, "I put a jack under it and pumped it up."
"That's wonderful!" I exclaimed, amazed at my husbands lesson. It was actually two lessons: 1. You can solve any problem, and 2. Think beyond the obvious.
I needed that lesson. When I was thinking about lifting a car, the only thing in my mind was someone putting their two hands under the bumper and lifting it up. But in actuality, using your mind to come up with a solution is more powerful.
That's the type of thinking that allowed a man to invent the steam engine. That's the kind of thinking that allows us to drive 70 miles an hour in vehicles of total luxury. That's the kind of thinking that got a man on the moon.
The lesson to use your mind to find solutions for the "impossible" is more valuable than I can describe. Take a moment today to reveal to your children the awesome power they possess!
Laura Bankston is author of Cooking with Kids Curriculum: "Homeschool Cooking in a Box" and the "Homeschool Cookbook". She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com
Alexis limo rentals ..1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Nail biting in all its various forms is problematic... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More
Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More
When a parent is deployed with the military it can... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
Checking accounts are an absolute necessity these days. You can... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
"How many times do I have to tell you to... Read More
There isn't a school day that goes by that I... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
The Greatest Gifts in Life, which are always created for... Read More
As the father of a toddler, I am an expert... Read More
car service from Midway Alsip ..Here is a list of ways to convey the message... Read More
When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More
Studies have shown that:1 out of 4 children were sent... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
Most parents at some stage are driven to distraction by... Read More
Many families, ours included, have learned that breakfast is eaten... Read More
Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More
Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More
"Setting the alarm on Sunday mornings is inhuman?..God should know... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born. Visions of her... Read More
I'm sure many of you have heard that old Hallmark... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
(Excerpted from Jim Rohn's 2004 Weekend Leadership Event)You have to... Read More
The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More
All responsible parents would want to support their children, find... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More
Late vs. Too LateEvery now and then, I'll hear a... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
Parenting |