tip of the Day 3/17/12

The final tip I have for teaching your children during Spring Break is to learn how to entertain themselves without electronics. A craft cabinet full of supplies, a back yard that is safe and accessible for the kids to play in without constant supervision, TIME for freedom to play and use their imagination. Homework is important, but an hour outside before homework will probably result in better results. Less structured activities and more freedom to imagine. Set them free to explore and create.

Word for Today, Neighbor: We live in a world where a lot of people do not have the opportunity to really get to know their neighbors thanks to the automatic garage door opener. We pull into our garage, hit the button, and then spend our time outside in the yard surrounded by privacy fence. Last night the Lord showed me that the trees that were cut down in the Fall between ours and our neighbors yard was a blessing in one sense. As several of the neighbors talked over our fences last night I learned they were not thrilled now that the trees are gone, the husband had to work over in Detroit all winter because he lost his job locally, he was injured on the job and just found work locally again last week. Another neighbor who likes to put on gruff airs let it slip that he had snow blown the families driveway while Dad was away. The boys climbed the ladder another Dad built and we said could be placed in our yard for the kids to access each others yards, laughing and playing. A neighbor asked if we minded him putting up a beehive since it would be on the backside of our fence (fresh honey coming our way) and he gave us more fresh fish he had caught. Another neighbor sat in their house with the door closed and missed all the fun. They have been verbally unkind to the children and built a huge fence to stop them from accessing each others yards. I realized how easy it would be to behave the same way and that I need to pray their hearts soften. As for that fence we thought we needed to put up where the trees used to be, maybe some nice grasses are all we need, after all my neighbor is as short as me and how will we talk over a 6 foot fence. :) "Love does no harm to it's neighbor."