Unplug The Kids This Summer

 

Growing up, I loved the long, lazy days of summer.

It meant the county bookmobile would arrive each Wednesday in front of my house, virtually delivering books to my front door. Books provided a great form of escape from summer boredom. Books opened up new worlds and places to me, and introduced characters I never would have imagined on my own.

Summers were also spent balancing barefoot on a fallen log while crossing the wide creek behind my house to a place of endless adventure: the woods.

Summertime was visits to Johnny Mercer's Pier and renting a red raft for fifty cents to ride the waves at Wrightsville Beach.

It meant catching fireflies under a starry sky.



Summer was time spent with friends plucking blackberries and dodging sandspurs from the large ditch beside the corner Methodist Church.

The long days of summer also allowed my mind to dream and my soul to still itself.

This was before modern technology.

I worry about our kids today and the isolative consequences of technology. I worry about stifled dreams and cluttered minds.

In this media-driven culture where young people always seem to be plugged into some sort of technology, whether it's a tablet, cellphone, laptop, TV, whatever the device, summertime should be a time where kids unplug and be a kid for a change!

Here are a few tips on how we limit technology and keep our granddaughters reading and physically active during the summer months.

1. To earn technology, i.e., TV, tablet, computer, video games, it requires one hour of reading each day to earn one hour of technology. No reading. No technology.
2. A reading journal has to be kept along with a one page summary of each book read.
3. Also, by keeping a Bible journal and following a daily reading plan just for kids, will help instill healthy devotional habits for a lifetime.
4. Whether it's swimming, riding bikes, fishing at the lake, or playing a friendly game of soccer with friends, our granddaughters must find ways to enjoy and explore the great outdoors.
5. Crafts are also a great creative outlet. Kids enjoy the creative process and sense of accomplishment. Grace and Bella are making paracord bracelets this summer. They hope to sell them at a local craft fair.

It's important to balance technology. By balancing technology (I promise it won't kill them!), kids will become more creative and learn to connect face-to-face, thus cultivating healthy relationships.

Looking for things to do this summer with the kids? Google "fun things to do" in your area. You'll be amazed at all the fun and exciting things your community has to offer. Movie theaters often offer kids specials during the summer. Local museums and aquariums are great resources as well.

Unplug this summer. Read and explore your world instead. Who knows what you may discover!



What about you? What suggestions do you have to get kids unplugged, motivated, and connected with the real world this summer?

-Beth

Modesty: A Lesson From the 70's

“In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel.”  1 Timothy 2:9-10

 

Modesty.

It was a word I’d heard over and over again as a teenager growing up in the 70’s. I doubt however, if most teenage girls today know its meaning.

The Greek word for modest is Kosmios, meaning orderly, well-arranged, decent, modest, harmonious arrangement, or adornment. Modesty is also Biblically applied to one's demeanor or behavior. This same Greek word is translated good behavior.

During the 70’s, halter tops (backless shirts); hot pants (now called “booty” shorts); happy legs (wide leg pants); hip huggers (low rise pants); and miniskirts (skirts way above the knee); were not only in trend, but were the antithesis of modesty. The 70’s was a time of rebellion: people protested the Vietnam War, women burned their bras, and prayer was removed from schools, among other things.



As a 70's teen, I wanted to dress in vogue, just like my contemporaries. Yet, despite the anything goes attitude of the culture, Mother’s mantra, “girls should always dress modestly,” never wavered.

For example, tops that didn’t require wearing a bra were forbidden. Miniskirts were okay as long as they weren’t super mini. And, well – short shorts were plain out of the question.

I was a willful child and would often test my boundaries, especially when it came to fashion.

 

One example of my obstinacy was on my 15^th birthday. Thanks to the generosity of my grandparents, I was loaded. I had $20 burning a hole in my leather fringed purse. Sears and Roebuck was within walking distance from home; and that’s where I bought my very first (and last) halter top. It was a soft pink color that I thought accentuated my summer tan. And when I wore it for the first time (and last in front of my mother), she almost fainted. “That shirt has no back! Boys will get the wrong impression. And, for Pete’s sake, Beth, show a little modesty!”



Although I hated Mother’s rules back then and thought her to be prudish, today I’m extremely grateful for her determination to raise me fashionable but modestly.



Sadly, this millennium culture makes the 70’s look prudish. In a world where young girls are sexually preyed upon and sold into sex trafficking, it’s more important now than ever before to teach our daughters and granddaughters to dress modestly and not provocatively.

As a grandparent helping to raise my two granddaughters, Grace 12, and Bella 10, I want to teach them Kosmios, modesty, to respect and value their bodies.

God bought you with a high price; therefore, you must honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:20

When young girls wear revealing clothes, exposing lots of skin, it conveys a message and solicits a response; whether they realize it or not.

If we don’t establish boundaries and instill a sense of self-worth into our daughters and granddaughters, this world will certainly cheapen their value.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

 

I'd like to hear your suggestions. How are you teaching your daughters or granddaughters to value their bodies?  What do you think of todays' fashions for young girls-- too revealing?

What Every Caregiver Craves: A Sabbatical

 

“Um… hello.”

 “Hi! This is Nancy with Ideal Vacations. Is this Beth?”

 

“Yes,” I said, slightly frustrated. I had just pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot and was trying to squeeze into a parking place while answering my cell phone. I was aggravated at myself for answering the phone when I clearly needed both hands. I was even more aggravated at this telemarketer for calling me on my cell phone. How’d she get my number?

 

“Beth, someone you know, who chooses to remain anonymous, has arranged for you and your husband to take an all expense-paid, one week cruise to the Bahamas. I was wondering when you and your husband could come by my office and get your vacation booked.”

“What? Is this for real? Are you trying to sell me something?”
 

“I promise I'm not trying to sell you anything. Your trip is completely paid for. All you need to do is come in and decide when you want to take your cruise,” she said.

 
This just doesn’t happen, especially to me! There has to be a catch!

The following day Tom and I walked through the doors of Ideal Vacations. Ideal Vacations was run by Nancy, her husband, Bill, and daughter, Sandy. Their office walls touted dream vacations from Venice, Italy, to Bora Bora.

 

“Have a seat,” Bill said.

 

“You mean someone has paid for me and Tom to go on a cruise? Who would do that?”

 

“I made a promise to keep their name a secret. But yes, someone has paid for your trip. They want you to have a worry-free vacation. This individual says because you spend so much of your time caring for others, it's time you received a little pampering." Nancy explained. 

 

Since Tom had a problem with motion sickness, Nancy and Bill helped us select a cabin located in the middle of the ship. We learned the lower and more central we could be, the less roll and sway we would feel.

 

Before long, we left Ideal Vacations with cruise tickets in hand, a big smile on our faces, and walked next door to Extreme Diving where Tom bought a mask, snorkel, and fins.

 

I could hardly believe it, in four short weeks we’d be taking a dream cruise to the Bahamas. No kids! Just us!

 

It’d been years since just the two of us had been away, and we were long overdue for some quality time together.

 

 Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

 

 

The first week of June, 2011, Tom and I boarded the Fantasy, a Carnival Cruise ship, out of Charleston, South Carolina. The next seven days were spent relaxing, rejuvenating, and reconnecting; and having the time of our lives.

 

At night we got to dress up and attend Broadway style shows.

 

Our Maitre d' was from Romania and had a great sense of humor. He and the wait staff would perform funny songs for us each night.

 

While onboard, we met new friends, like Ann and Vann, from Darlington, South Carolina.

 

In the late evenings, Tom and I would dance the night away. Even if we were the only ones on the dance floor! 







I also got to pretend I was a Vegas dancer while in a Subway restaurant in Freeport.





Zipping down the waterslide on top of the ship was a blast!



My favorite section of the ship was the Serenity Deck. No kids allowed. It was extremely relaxing.

 

After a week at sea, Tom and I returned home rejuvenated, and grateful for such an unbelievable gift.

 
Shortly after our return, I wrote a letter to our anonymous donor, included pictures from our cruise, and thanked them for blessing us in such an incredible way. I gave it to Nancy to mail to this very special individual. 

To this day, we still have no idea who provided that wonderful vacation for us. Tom and I will forever share wonderful memories and photographs, reminding us of God's great goodness.  

Are you a caregiver: a grandparent raising your grandchildren, or perhaps you're someone taking care of an aging parent? Regardless of your situation, it’s important to recharge your batteries. Even if you aren't able to take a cruise to the Bahamas, it's important to make time for yourself. Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds. (Luke 4:42)

 

Are you making time to recharge your batteries?