Hand in Hand NOT Side by Side

Every year we attend a very special gathering.  A gathering where all of the girls and mothers in Chloe's grade come together for a Holiday Tea.  We talk about what it means to be a girl, a Christ follower, and the responsibility we have to use our gifts for a greater purpose.  Then the girls take off their fancy shoes and run around in the yard ripping large holes in their tights and snagging their lovely dresses on random sticks and rocks.

This year I told Chloe she had to sit like a lady and not play and run like a wild cat.  I caved.  I DID make her remove her shoes and tights, but her dress made it out alive.  You can see the photo of her at left smiling happily, but what you don't see is her friend about to bite her head on the right.  To avoid posting a photo of someone else's child, I cropped the photo.  The photo of the smiling and biting is a perfect example of this age.  Ten year old girls are still silly, but growing up.  They want to be serious, as long as they get to run and play too.

Come to think of it, I like to be serious and run and play, too.  I guess we never really want to sit and be civilized.  Wait, maybe you do.  I guess I'm the only one who still has a hint of crazy running around inside of me.  Maybe it is more than a HINT.

I encourage mothers of children to start a class annual gathering of moms and boys or moms and girls to build unity and love within a class.  Some classes are rather large, but it is worth an effort to build relationships as these are the people your children see everyday and a good relationship is vital to the health of the group.  Even if you have a potluck at a park.  Make an effort to invest in getting to know the moms and children.  The closeness makes raising children easier.  We all have each other's back.  It isn't your family and my family, rather it is our family.  Take an interest in your children's friends and their family.  It will lower the chances of bullying, fighting, and discord.  It also builds a nice foundation of friendships for your children and for yourself.  A community of families and support as we grow our families side by side.  Let's take it one step further and make it, hand in hand!

I am thankful for the wonderful mothers and daughters with whom I spent the afternoon(Day 16~I think).  Goodnight Friends!