In keeping with our switch to allowing plenty of free time in the afternoons I have been thinking about how our children are growing up and transitioning into an adult’s world, in particular getting a job.
A few months back Josh had a job offer though we were able to determine how many hours he would work. We decided on 6 hours a week (2 afternoons a week). In coming to that decision we had to consider how much time this will take him away from other aspects of our family life and what priorities we place on those things as well as a job.
We were thinking of
- time for study
- time for relaxation
- time for relationships
What are the priorities for him for this time in his life? He needs to be prepared for adult life; to work so he can provide for his family surely is an aspect of that and yet we also want him to study deep and well.
This week though I realized the third aspect that he needs to have time for – relationship. Just yesterday he gave himself, his time and energies to playing both a strategy war game and some cricket with his little brother. I know that if he filled his days with work opportunities these times would suffer. Isn’t that the way in the adult world – we have to work real hard to find times for relationship.
I want to establish in my children a balance of all three aspects with the hope that they will form convictions and habits that will hold them through their adult life.
