Paper Dolls, the Park or a Babysitter named "TV"

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds, tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ~ Deuteronomy 11:18-19

My youngest daughter has been having some 'issues' lately.  Out of fairness, she is usually a sweet, little bright light to us. Recently, however, she has had problems in dealing with her frustration at others.  This little outburst can sometimes be aggressive.  She is our youngest child and at the age of four, wants to be heard. 

I have clearly not been helping her to handle her reaction to situations.  Since she was misbehaving in this way more frequently, I made a rash decision and pronounced, "You will lose your special things and you will not be allowed to watch TV for two weeks!"  As the words came out, I thought, "Wait a minute...that means I will have to entertain her!" 

Once again, I felt that gentle nudge from the Lord.

  Turning off the television has been the best thing...not only for her, but for me, too.  I recount that I was very strict with my older two children, limiting the time and what they watched.  I can see the benefits of these limitations.  They have huge imaginations and love to play outdoors even when it is freezing!  How had I grown so slack with my youngest child?  How had I forgotten how violent many of the cartoons are today?  What was making me so busy that I so quickly handed her over to her 'babysitter,' Ms. TV?  Was the aggressive behavior due to her sitting in front of the tube?

I am certainly not an expert.  I don't know what the statistics are with children and TV.  But, I can tell you that in the two weeks that she lost her privilege to watch cartoons, a new child has emerged!  We have cut out hundreds of paper dolls and outfits and sat for the longest time cutting, dressing and redressing these paper dolls.  Her little tiny hands have worked so diligently, and I became aware of what a great thing to do to build fine motor skills.  Now, she would typically cut the toes off and sometimes the head, but we just cut out some more!  My oldest daughter, who is nine, also joined in on this simple fun!

We have had countless tea parties and painted some beautiful pieces of art.  With the lovely weather, we have gone to the park and with her as the leader, and me as the follower, we climbed on everything, went up and down the slide, and had a swinging contest to see who could go the highest (I read somewhere to do that with your children!)  What fun it was to be four again!

The two weeks have passed and she hasn't asked to watch the TV.  The television is like a thief who robs our time.  The hours go by before you realize it, and all of a sudden your baby is all grown up.  This is precious time, and I am all too aware that there is not much of it!  Her behavior has improved greatly, and her attitude and imagination have flourished.

I am thankful the Lord nudged me off my throne (the place I try to sneak back to more often than I would like to admit.)  I have asked the Lord to show me what is keeping me from my family.  I have asked Him to help me set clear boundaries with the phone, or any electronics, and even friends and family.  As He is helping me, I am helping her to handle her frustration...to learn to walk away or to play alone or to ask for help.  I have read that the verse in Deuteronomy 11:18-19 is all about connecting with your children and teaching them to know God's value system.  I am not able to do this if I don't spend quantity and quality time with her!

Television may not be a huge temptation in your family.  Maybe it is the computer or video games, people or activities that vie for your or your child's time.  What do you find that separates you from your family?  I encourage you to ponder these things and spend some extra time with your kids today!  You might find that there is nowhere else in the world you would rather be!

Blessings on this 'Life Lessons' Sunday!  Thanks to all of you who gave a response and/or advice on my post Raising Children.  I learn so much from those whom have walked before me, and I imagine that by the time I figure out this parenting job, my kids will be grown!  What a journey it is!

Here is a GREAT article if you want to read more!
http://jenwilkin.blogspot.com/2010/10/guarding-sabbath-for-our-children.html?spref=tw