Sunday, December 16, 2007

Family Game Night

Last night our family had a wonderful time playing the game of "LIFE." David has never wanted to sit and play games—he's a very active child—but last night he actually asked to play the game. We had a great time. He was still very active and antsy, but we all made it through a game!
"LIFE" has changed since the days that Rich and I played as children. When we were young everyone playing this game had to stop on a square that determined how many kids you were going to have in the game; that is no longer the case. Now you only have children if you land on a space that says so. This upset David, since he wasn't landing on a space that gave him a son or daughter so we allowed him to adopt a daughter. He then carefully placed her in the back of his car, when Rich joked that she was banished to the rear away from her parents David explained that she was there because it was safer for her to be in the back of the car. Now that warmed my heart (maybe we aren't doing so bad as parents after all).

Unfortunately, I think this change in the game is just a reflection of today's culture. The spaces with children are no different than the space for booking an online cruise—both spaces simply mean that you'll end the game with less money. Children as a whole are not thought of as an important part of our lives. They are now made to "fit into my schedule" not that we are responsible for their spiritual and secular training. We have abdicated our responsibilty to our childcare workers, schools and even the church. I have photographed babies (as young as a few weeks old) who are brought to childcare centers at 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning by parents who are driving Land Rovers or Jags, only to be picked up at 6:00 in the evening (sometimes by the nanny.) Many of these children are brought to their childcare centers even on days when their parents are not working, because they need a break. These parents will tell you they have to work in order to make ends meet. Maybe we should value our children more than our cars. I feel great sorrow for these children who will reap what their parents have sown.

12 comments:

Katie said...

Hi, Kim! I found your blog via Mrs. Wilt. I wholeheartedly agree with you on this post. Well said! I'll be back to visit... :o)

Kim said...

I'm glad you like my site- I just started blogging last month, but have read Mrs. Wilt's for several months.

Anonymous said...

What about people wanting to have a successful career ? Do they just have to give up with the idea of having children ?
I'm not saying that I would agree with privileging family nor career, but it is a question which really deserves to be asked and thought about...

Paula said...

Hi, Kim~ Just visiting via Mrs. Wilt's and welcoming you to blog-land. :)
Blessings,
Mrs. C

Kim said...

lilith, I am not saying that women can't have a successful career. I have had one while being a mother. I was named photographer of the year two years ago from the company I worked for. However, watching many parents as they dropped off their children and couldn't be bothered to talk to the teacher or even say goodbye to their children due to the cell phone they had glued to their ear. What I am talking about is balance in life and honesty about what is a need or want. I'm also not saying that all wants are bad, just that we reconize the difference. I have adjusted my career based on the needs of my family, particularly my son.

Martha said...

Wonderful post. I felt the same way when I played the "new" LIFE with my children!

Wonderful observations. I totally agree.

Welcome to blogland! Glad you could join us. :)

~Blessings,
~Jane

Anonymous said...

Hello Kim,

Welcome to the blogging world! I found you through Mrs. Wilt's site.

I really enjoyed your post on children. It is so sad to think about what our typical society's views on children are. Children are so special!

Take Care,

Trixie

Anonymous said...

Hi. I found your blog through The Sparrow's Nest. Nice to meet you.

I agree entirely with your post. Children are not treasured nowadays as they should be. Children seem to be more an accessory for many people. One can only imagine what our society will be like in twenty years. Very sad.

~ Mrs Lavender

Anonymous said...

Kim,
It's true that children in need aren't just those who live below the poverty line. Rudyard Kipling said that wealth and poverty are imposters. I think he's right. Both can fool us. Thanks for the blog entry.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Hi Kim,

I also came here from Mrs.Wilt's blog.

I worked in daycare right out of school, and it broke my heart for the exact reasons you wrote about. Although, it was not only those with expensive cars etc, it was all kinds of parents.

I am thankful to my husband for the sacrifices he makes so that I can be home with our children.

Rose of Sharon said...

Good morning Kim.....Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging! It is so fun and rewarding! You have a lovely blog and a lovely family!

God bless you today!

Sharon (at Rose of Sharon)

Anonymous said...

The socialist plan to break family ties is in keen working order, hm? Very sad.

I'm thankful for a growing population of women who are either already raising their children full time or are planning to do so when they have children.

I found your blog via Mrs. Wilt's. Bless you...