by Kay Wills Wyma
What an excellent book. The family focused on one thing each month, such as hosting a party, learning to fix things around the house, and laundry. Wyma found that her kids just expected everything to be done for them, clean clothes, toilet paper, buying a car. She wanted to show them the behind the scenes of everyday living. She had them grocery shop, cook a meal a week, make their bed, plan a party from start to finish, do big house projects, clean the bathroom, work together for a greater goal, serve others, and learn manners.
I appreciated reading this book now, when Emmett is just a baby, to prevent too much entitlement. I will also read it again later on, to be reminded and for ideas to focus on. Wyma told about her “enabling” of her kids, due a lot to her wanting things done right. I think this happens a lot now days, except it’s usually because it is just quicker for mom to take care of things than it takes to teach the skills. In our fast-paced world, it’s probably true, but this doesn’t help our children later on in their life. Mom won’t always be there to pick up toilet paper and do housework for her kids.
I’m really hoping that I will take the time to teach Emmett (and any other children we have) early on, even though it will take more time and won’t be done just exactly how I like it.
From the manners chapter, three “rules” in dealing with people:
- Address adults by name and look them in the eye. “Hi, Mrs. Someone...”
- Thank people by name. “Thanks for the help, Lucy.”
- Answer a question with a question. “I’m well, how are you doing?”
3 points I especially liked:
Future spouses will most certainly thank us for equipping their husbands and wives in practical living skills.
Culture doesn't determine who people become. People determine what the culture will be. Might our equipped, empowered, unentitled kids be the ones who set the course for the future.
Do I love them enough to step aside rather than step in?
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