Have you ever spent time around parents that feel they have to provide every opportunity and activity for their kids because they were “neglected” themselves in their own childhood? Maybe you’ve heard them say, “I promised myself I would never do that to my kids.” Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. It actually sounds pretty noble. It has all the appearance of sacrifice for your family. I’ve got kids and grandkids and I, too, want the best for them as well. I don’t want them to miss out either.
One of my cautions, and it’s only a caution, is that when our kids expect their parents to be the entertainer and concierge of their daily schedule, problems will eventually surface. My kids were involved in sports and other activities throughout their adolescent and teen years. But, they also were expected to “entertain” themselves with books, neighborhood friends and adventures, pick-up games of baseball or football, and the dreaded home chores and schoolwork. Those regular activities may well be described as a rite of passage into adulthood. Do what you can to encourage balance in your kids. You won’t regret it.
Solomon put it this way… For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;