Thursday, May 31, 2012

Every day is not your birthday


I love Pinterest. The ideas and inspiration make being a fun mom basically effortless. "10 ideas to make your kids birthday special", "Fun ways to show your kids you love them", "Surprises for your kids"... you see these pins all over (or ones like them, these were made up but you know what I mean!). And there are some great ideas! I love making my kids feel special, surprising them, and just having fun.

However, I think we need to remember that every day is not our child's birthday. Not every day needs to be filled with surprises, baked treats, lunches shaped like their favorite cartoon characters, eating out for dinner, etc. Our kids need to have normal days. They need to have days that aren't all about them and making them happy. Days where the meals are simple, they do their chores, read books, play board games, have family worship and go to bed on time. Our kids need to feel loved and affirmed and like they are an important part of the family. They also need to know that the world does not revolve around them, and that their happiness and joy is not at the center of every decision the family makes.

I think when we get too carried away with feeding our children's desire to be entertained and pleased we are raising a dangerous generation of children. One that seeks only their own pleasure. One that can't be satisfied in living a simple and quiet life but one that needs others entertaining them at all times and bowing to their every whim. We are not raising a generation that seeks not to serve, but to be served.

Simple days can still be filled with joy and laughter and fun. And raising our children to see simple days as joyful and fun is an amazing gift that we can give to our children. And I believe it makes days like Christmas or birthdays or the days that you do some extra special things as a family so special.  I think those special things lose their specialness when you do them everyday...

So how often should you have "extra special days" and how often should your days be routine. I don't know. I don't think there is a formula. I think your kids will make it obvious when they have had a few too many special days. I would venture to say that the majority of your days should be fairly routine and simple. And I know that my routine and simple will look very different from yours. We are all different and do things differently. But, if you are like me and your goal is to raise Godly children I think it is important to take a close look and make sure we are not "drinking the Kool-Aid" that society is trying to sell us. For our children to feel loved we don't have to act like everyday is their birthday...

*This picture is from an actual birthday last summer. You can see the details here.

I am linking up at Women Living Well.

3 comments:

  1. I love this Katie! Our culture is so child focused now and I think that is making very selfish children. Children who feel entitled that they don't have to do chores and the world revolves around them...well of course we know in the Lord that this is not true. Great food for thought...actually being intentional about NOT making every day about them and super special. Thanks for this post today :)

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  2. Oh I see this so much and it is so sad, and annoying too. I know some homes where when I visit, we all just spend so much time watching what the kids are doing- the visit revolves around them. I get pretty fed up with it. Thank you for your honest post, so true!

    Nicole
    Working Kansas Homemaker (.com)

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  3. Thank you for this post, such a very important topic! I see so many kids that think the world revolves around them and it is no wonder our society is so self centered. I pray parents will begin to open their eyes and make changes.

    One thing I have experienced is the older generation that may have grown up with "nothing," then they want to give their kids and grandkids what they did not have, so they don't "miss out" like their parents or grandparents did. This makes me so upset I do not even know where to begin! We are trying to live more simply these days, but it is very difficult when others are trying to "help" by pouring gifts on the kids! How do you say no without sounding ungrateful? My kids are starting to expect the numerous gifts they receive at special occasions, which now include Easter and Valentine's Day! So frustrating!

    It is so nice to see other parents who want to teach their children that they are not the center of the universe! =)

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