Family

I am blessed beyond measure with 8 (soon to be 9) wonderful grandchildren. My oldest grandchild, who is in kindergarten, invited me to participate in a school project called Visiting Silhouette. He started his project by having his body silhouette traced onto a big piece of butcher paper. Then he colored his body silhouette to make a self portrait. My part was to take the silhouette with me to all of my activities for about two weeks. I took pictures of all the activities my grandson’s silhouette and I did together. For me, i was focused and reminded of my sweet grandson each day as his silhouette and I participated together in our activities.

We played in our playroom with a Little People farm. We set up the Corn Hole game and got our back yard ready for a BBQ. On a sunny day this weekend we got the swimming pool ready for Memorial Day. 

We went on a walk and the Silhouette rode in a wagon. We played on the train and went on the slide. My husband took the Silhouette and pushed him on the swings. We met one of my friends and her daughter at the park and she took a picture with the silhouette.

We made a lot of food together for the BBQ. and had a wonderful surprise….Jorde, my grandson  came to town because his uncle was getting married so he and his Silhouette came to the BBQ.

I had the Silhouette help me water my vegetable garden where I am growing tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash. When the weather is as hot as it has been, I have had to water more often. I would have loved to send the Silhouette to work with my husband, Jorde’s Poppa.

So if you have grandkids that …

Here is a post that was very helpful to many families a few years back so we decided to repost it. The content is timeless but the photos are outdated, but they were too cute to not include in this helpful post. Enjoy Rachel’s insightful suggestions for including involving young children in household chores. this teaches them how to happily serve and teaches them about kindness by helping mommy and daddy. Here is the updated picture of the girls today. 

Lately, I have had some success including the girls in my chores and household activities. I use the word “some” on purpose because I know with kids what works one day won’t work another day. However, I hope that what I share can encourage you to make your kids a part of household chores and activities.

If you have a baby, I would encourage you to wear your baby. Ask your friends for recommendations on a baby carrier, or join a local babywearing group. When you have things to do around the house you can include your baby when you wear them or wrap them. (Note: It is generally not recommended to wear your baby while cooking or preparing hot foods. Also, be very careful if you are wearing your baby and using a knife that you can see what you are doing!)

Now for the toddler. Here are some successful ways I have included Ellie.

1. Laundry – Ellie loves to be my “helper.” I say, “Ellie, I need my helper.” And she follows me around saying, “helper, helper!” I let her help me put clothes in the washing machine and push the buttons (only when Mamae is around!). She also love to help transfer the clean clothes to the dryer.  (We have a front loading washer and dryer).…

One minute a child, fully dependent, the next minute a fully independent young adult. One minute all training and teaching is my responsibility and privilege, the next minute my mind and heart and soul are being filled with bits of wisdom and insight from the life of my adult children. The child to adult transition happens without a precise timetable, plan or maximum effort on my part, but I observe the unintentional movement from receiver to giver. Every person has a different timetable, dependent on their natural temperament combined with life circumstances.
Often it is a gradual flow that occurs when a child moves away from home, starts a first job, goes off to college or has an opportunity to travel out of the country to study or go on a mission trip, but sometimes it happens at a specific moment in time because of an unexpected tragedy, a bad decision, significant life event or family crisis.

As a mom of four daughters, I have had the blessing of healthy, peaceful, joy-filled relationships with my daughters. We have had some but not too many difficult arguments, and not too much drama. We have shared joys and sorrows. We have laughed together and cried together. We have prayed together and worshipped together. Now that they are all adults and all married, I try to practice restraint and offer advice only when asked. It is challenging at times to keep silent but the benefits are that they get to learn by experience the lessons that will develop character and help them be stronger women. I have encouraged them as sisters to always work out their disagreements and difficulties between themselves. I also advise them to keep the challenges in their relationships with their husbands respectfully private, sharing just as much as is …