tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30752286.post115954745645680451..comments2023-05-29T07:57:01.804-06:00Comments on The Front Porch: Rebecca Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14152618745135315858noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30752286.post-1159674682606581112006-09-30T21:51:00.000-06:002006-09-30T21:51:00.000-06:00I, too, have 4 children. I feel like we spend way...I, too, have 4 children. I feel like we spend way to much time in the car, going here and there, being "involved". While I was worn out before, once my oldest daughters started high school sports, I went over the edge. The schedules these girls are expected to keep are absolutely ridiculous! The goal is for them to get to compete at a state tournament, but at what cost?! Our family time, their social time, homework time and free time has all been impacted. And I'm beyond frustrated. I agree, we don't need more "activities" to help parents and kids spend time together, we need more time to just BE together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30752286.post-1159632561065678362006-09-30T10:09:00.000-06:002006-09-30T10:09:00.000-06:00Yesterday a friend said her mother in FL had comme...Yesterday a friend said her mother in FL had commented on how polite and hard working my three adult son's always were. <BR/>Family came first--all members of the family. School and the activities they chose. If they wanted a car they had to pay their own insurance by working a part time job. If grades slipped the insurance was cancelled,and the part time job was finished. This only happened one time. <BR/>When I talk to them about how I wish life had been easier they laugh<BR/>about how their friends always wanted to be at our house because we had the most fun all of the time. Go figure. <BR/>If I thought the school was piling on too much homework I would bring it to their attention. Teachers need to teach not send it all home for parents to help with the work that should have been taught in class. <BR/>I watch small children walk by with backpacks that drag the ground because they are so full of books and supplies. Somewhere along the line we have allowed the schools to delegate their paid duties back to the parents, and taken away our job as role models.<BR/>JudithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30752286.post-1159559369119298682006-09-29T13:49:00.000-06:002006-09-29T13:49:00.000-06:00Yeah, that mom-son time comes in last, doesn't it?...Yeah, that mom-son time comes in last, doesn't it? Good for you on letting him have his space/freedom...I long for the day when we parents don't have to "allow" that...that family/friend time is valued as much as achievement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30752286.post-1159557623777325202006-09-29T13:20:00.000-06:002006-09-29T13:20:00.000-06:00On one of my many cell phone calls with my son (ju...On one of my many cell phone calls with my son (just about the only communication he and I have once school begins due to all of the on going activities), I reminded him that he needed to be home to finish homework. He calmly and matter of factly said that it was Friday, his only free night, and that he would in no uncertain terms let homework interfer with his "friend" time. I thought for a moment and realized how important his free time with friends is. He too is at school before 7 a.m. and doesn't arrive home until about 4 p.m. only to return to help with some other school function. He also has a very part time job that takes another 10-15 hours a week along with church activities and practices out of town with his soon to be famous (lol :) ) band.<BR/>So, as a parent, this week I made the choice to allow him to spend much needed time with his friends, just hanging out and doing absolutely nothing but being a kid. A time for him to let his brain and body rest only to prepare for the next round of activities. Now, if I can only figure out how to get him to want to have some mother/son time. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com