As I am writing this the family (Heather the kids and myself) have just got done having lunch together. We were in the kitchen talking, singing, and laughing. These are the things that remind me of my mom and dad. Growing up my Saturdays were filled with chores, sweat, sunburns, just plain old work. They were also filled with laughter, hugs, play, fun, and just plain love.

By writing this I will be going against the typical culture enmeshed family but this view comes from my past and a awareness of families today, that doesn’t sit well with me.

I see so many families spending their weekends: running to birthday parties, running errands, going to multiple soccer, baseball, football, cheer-leading, and whatever travel sports there are. What I don’t see is dad’s teaching their kids to do lawn work or taking the kids golfing with him. I see a lot of us (including me) spending too much time picking up after our kids rather than have them do it. I see housekeeping hired out because people have run out of time yet we complain about our shrinking budget. I see families allowing their little league coaches to teach values yet we don’t take the time to get to know them. I see a lot of us buying into the philosophy that the busier we keep our kids the better off they are. I see….a country that looks a lot different than it did 30 years a go before we had all this.

What would it look like if we managed our schedules so that we actually took a day off to hang with the family at home and not worry about what we could be doing down the road?

If you think this is hard you’re right! Culture doesn’t want you raising your child they would rather have that job. Unfortunately, for us, the world is not being run by nice people but by a prince. And this guy knows what makes us tick and he’s not out for our best.