Day 25 - The Gun Control Debate

Last night I over heard Genesis (11) and Sharpshooter (9) having a gun-control debate. For his upcoming birthday, Sharpshooter received his first real rifle and Genesis was having some issues with it. Sharpshooter was taking his rifle out of the box, and thus began the debate:

Genesis: I thought those guns were illegal now.

Genesis (11) on left, Sharpshooter (9) on right.

Sharpshooter: No, the president is only wanting to ban assault rifles and magazines that hold more than ten bullets, this is a .22 rifle and it only holds ten bullets at a time. But, Gun World [where we bought the rifle] does still sell assault rifles.  

Genesis: It's ridiculous that a place like Gun World would sell assault rifles.  Who needs a weapon that fires that fast!?

Sharpshooter: Why is it so ridiculous? 

Genesis: Didn't you see what happened in Sandy Hook? That guy used an assault rifle to kill all those kids! 

Sharpshooter: Yeah, I know, but that guy was crazy, that's why he killed those kids, it had nothing to do with assault rifles! Besides, where that shooting happened already has really strict gun laws and it didn't stop him. So does Washington, DC and they have the highest crime rates in the nation! [Patting myself on back for this comment, Momma taught him well.]

Genesis: I still don't see why someone needs a gun that big. A hand gun should be enough protection for a person. 

Sharpshooter: [Frustrated] You just don't get it! [Shakes his head and walks out]

Of course, I couldn't prevent myself from stepping in. I explained to Genesis that I understand his concern over assault rifles but the reality is that even if they are banned, the bad guys will still have them. I proceeded to act out an skit in which a "bad guy" walks into a building with an assault rifle and all the law abiding citizens are unprotected; and then compared that with a scene in which a "bad guy" walks in with an assault rifle and all the "good guys" also have an assault rifles. Let's just say, the second scene was a lot less messy. 

Genesis still wasn't buying it and stood his ground. I respect that. 

I love watching Sharpshooter and Genesis debate. You should have heard them this last election, Genesis supported Obama, and Sharpshooter supported Mitt Romney. I imagine they will debate politics for the rest of their lives. I have flash forwards to fierce debates at Thanksgiving dinners and other family gatherings -- and I can't wait. I welcome civil debate and the free exchange of ideas into the house among my children. In fact, I love it! 

DAY 15 - FANNING THE FLAME

Every human is born with innate curiosity. Imagine that curiosity as a flame inside us all that is lit by our Maker at our time of conception. As a mother and as their teacher, I want to give my childrens' inner flames as much oxygen to grow, to spread, and to run wild, as I possibly can. Only oxygen, only open spaces, only freedom can allow a flame to survive. I mustn't extinguish the flame by boxing it into a classroom, burying it under the sands of worksheets and rigid schedules, and most importantly, I must not try to tame it or standardize it -- for no two flames were ever meant to burn the same. We are all born with this fire of wonder, creativity, and curiosity; it's lit right into our DNA. The challenge is not how to get the flame, but rather, it's how to keep the world from burning it out. 

Day 13- Listening

I try to listen to what my children are saying. Not hear what they are saying, but listen...really listen. Nonetheless, I still catch myself doing the whole "yeah, hmm, uh huh, cool..." thing, but not really listening. When this happens, I stop whatever I'm doing (this usually means putting my phone down), I look into their eyes as they speak to me -- and I do my best, my honest best, to give them a genuine and thoughtful response to whatever they've said. You wouldn't believe how hard this is to do. It is so tempting to half-listen or half-respond. It is so tempting to let my mind wander to the next thing on my to-do list, but I feel that listening (closely) is one of the most simple, yet most profound ways, I can serve my children. 

Day 5 - Children are Not Art Projects

I heard a quote the other day that said, “Children are not our own art products to be turned out well, but their own life work in continual process.” ~ Jan Fortune Wood

It really got me thinking...Sometimes I do feel like we talk about our children like art projects. Either our own little projects "turn out well" or not -- and we take it so personally, as a reflection of ourselves. But the truth is, we can only do so much as parents because in reality, children are not our own little art projects that we can mold into exactly what we want, but rather they are free individuals who are their own, continual "work in progress."

I have been an "art project" parent for the past nine years and I'm so glad God is opening my eyes to that lie! 

                                                                Speaking of art projects...