School has begun for my grade 2 and it’s quite a relief for me. Though I have to wake up early to prepare morning tea, I like the fact that he’s getting into his routine again. This year, we are thinking on sending him to music classes. We have yet to finalize anything but it would be good if he picks up an instrument. I personally think the electric cello is nice but it’s all up to him. Violin or keyboard is nice too but we want to make sure that he’s passionate in the instrument and subject. Hopefully he finds pleasure in learning the instrument for a few years and that can contribute a large part in stimulating his creative cells!

It’s now getting in the routine for us who works at home… I’m sure glad we had moved!

The weekends is here and I’m thinking of taking my son to shop for backpacks for kids since he needs a new bag for school. Then we are thinking of watching a movie together and that’s something he looks forward to. With Christmas only slightly more than two months away, it’s time to shop for gifts for friends and family.

These days even if everyone is home, you can still be feel apart or separated from each other. There are so many electronic gadgets to keep everyone busy by themselves. Let’s see what we have. Cell phones, gaming computers, laptops, ipods, mp3 players, video games, 200 plus channels on T.V., etc., etc. I feel bad when I occupy my son with stuff like that too. All the things on the web that will keep you busy like blogging, chat rooms, my space, and so on. There are so many things one can do to entertain themselves without the family. Most of these things can be addictive. People can become strangers in their own family. Therefore, it is our responsibility as parents to organize activities that keep the family together.

Since it only takes one family member to get the ball rolling, you might as well do your part. If your family is not as close as it should be, you could be the one to change it.

A stay at home dad will get to spend the most time with the children and will be responsible for many of their daily activities. Making sure that they have well-balanced meals, are dressed properly when going to the store or play with toys that convey a positive message are just a few of the responsibilities of a stay at home dad. Fixing the furnitures, the broken oven or cleaning Wire display racks are more tasks a stay at home dad may even undertake.

Being a stay at home dad is one of the best jobs in the world and will likely is the most rewarding career that any man can perfect. A closeness with the children and watching them grow up as loving adults will be a reflection of how they were cared for in their earliest years.

Realistically however, over-scheduling your children has the potential to impact your family in a negative way, preventing your child from enjoying quiet solitude and some occasional time to simply reflect on life and enjoy an ordinary, lazy day. Parents nowadays are excited to schedule their children for as many activities as possible, buy into the latest developmental tapes and do everything possible to stimulate early intellectual development and healthy habits. Not surprisingly, this pattern of over-scheduling can backfire, and leave kids exhausted, confused, discouraged and un-motivated. Sometimes it’s good to keep them at home, let them help around and even get them involved in some planning. Perhaps, get them excited about fixing the fireplace insert during winter time!

Remember in times of old scheduling activities was virtually unheard of. Parents traditionally have gone with the flow, encouraging their children to engage in active play as they see fit. Allow Your Children a Choice ñ you want to try as best as possible to select activities your children will enjoy. To do this you should consider one or two different activities and consult with your child. If you register them for soccer but they hate soccer, you will probably only end up frustrated, and your child will not benefit from the experience.

Well, my son has been very blessed indeed and I hope he grows up to remember that. I was able to work on the presentation with him sitting next to me and it wasn’t my favourite part of the week. Sometimes I try to get creative and offer a few ideas but I have forgotten that he is still a young boy. I’m glad term one is almost over and I trust that he’s enjoyed it so far. I felt emotional when he didn’t have a good day with his teachers or friends and often pray that they will appreciate him more and accept him for who he is. I myself have so much to learn in the area of acceptance. I’m always reminded by friends that our children grow up very fast and it will be no time that they will be sending out graduation announcements and we will look back and smile at the journey.

I’m always so thankful that I can walk this journey as I work from home. It has been made possible because of today’s powerful technology. With that, I will tap the resources out there and maximize my parenting time with him.