Thursday, October 2, 2008

weather

Weather-the day-to-day or even minute-by-minute atmospheric conditions of temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, wind, cloud cover, pollution, etc.

After witnessing what drastic changes in weather can do to the plants around us, I began thinking how the daily, nearly imperceptible changes can also affect our “gardens”. At first I would say that this is most noticeable in teenagers, but I’d say that a kid of any age can respond in any given way to the “weather” around him/her. There are days when I wonder from minute to minute how one of my children will respond to a given situation. What they do and say one day may be different the next. And because we have no control over the weather, it is best to help our kids learn how to control their responses to the weather that greets them every day/every minute. Teaching them that life is not always sunny and bright by allowing them to deal with storms, gray clouds and high pressure is an important life skill they will need for strength, maturity and “heartiness”. It would be wonderful if we could guarantee our child balmy, sunny weather filled with rainbow skies. But as this is not the case in any plant’s life, we know it cannot be for our child either. And we also know that the tough times and rainy days make for stronger, healthier plants. Surviving those storms, even if all the leaves get blown away, will make the youngster one day be able to stand straight and tall.

Posted by sowingseeds at 05:37:53 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Vulgaris/Vulgare Botanical

Vulgaris/Vulgare Botanical-Latin term meaning common or ordinary - usually the first species known or the one most familiar in Europe.

As parents we naturally want the best for our kids. Sometimes we catch ourselves wishing our kids were the best. There seems to be times when our kids just want to “blend in” or be one of the “regular guys” or “average girls”. Kids, especially teens, want to be sure that they are not too different from the peers with whom they identify. They like the familiarity of being part of the group. Some times even extraordinary kids want to do and be something common or ordinary.

As the parent watching this, it can be hard to find the balance or defining line to keep our kids propelled in the direction we think they need to go to rise above the crowd and allowing them space to just “be”. It might do us some good to step back from time to time and allow our child to be just a regular kid.

The pressure kids feel today in having to reach extraordinary status in some area of performance is astounding. They need some room to breath and to know that it is ok to be a “regular Joe” in some aspects. There is no way that anyone can be “on top” all the time. It is healthy to know that it is ok to be in the middle of the pack sometimes. It can even add to the enjoyment of the activity for sheer pleasure rather than having to “perform”.

Posted by sowingseeds at 03:42:41 | Permalink | No Comments »

Monday, February 11, 2008

pricking out

PRICKING OUT — The moving of seedlings from the tray or pot in which they were sown to other receptacles where they can be spaced out individually.

I certainly feel that this is the place we are at with our kids right now. Of course, I always desire for my kids to be individuals, but I feel like we have made a move with our son, placing him out into another receptacle for more individual growth. Having grown up homeschooled, he transitioned this year into public school. It has defiinitely brought about a different type of growth-mostly good.

I know that all children need to have their space to grow in their individual ways. I think it is important to their development as a useful and whole person. I think the bible teaches this in Proverbs where it says “Train up a child in the way he should go…” This means that each child has a different way of training that is more effective for him/her. I have found that with my own children-what works for one may not necessarily work for the other.

Keeping in mind our children’s individuality is important in the training and directing of their lives. Allowing others to have influence on our children can also help to stimulate growth at the right times. The individual path of our child as well as the influence of other training grounds can help to promote a healthy, stable path to adulthood.

Posted by sowingseeds at 14:06:46 | Permalink | Comments (8)