Something to do...

That phrase is usually a complaint/whine around here - "Mama, I need something to do...!"

Oh, to keep little fingers and minds busy. That has been my challenge lately. In our age of convenience and fluff we don't need kids to do much around the home any more. My girls are obsessed with "Little House on the Prairie." So, therefore, I am too. But in a manageable sense. Even as I write this they are quietly watching an episode from season 2.

What is it about the life of those during that time? Are we really that bad off nowadays? Some days I wish I could live back then, despite the fact I would have to work much harder, but maybe family life would actually be easier. Less distractions, more together time, happier together, etc...

You get the drift. And this year I began homeschooling for the 3rd year, if you count the 1/2 year I did a couple years ago. So back to the "something to do" comment, that seems to be the theme of my day.

I read some great advice in a Charlotte Mason book, about children.

Be sure that your children each day have:

- Something or someone to love

- Something to do

- Something to think about

Seems to be more of challenge for me than for them...but it has been great for me to keep in mind. And to work to help them in things to do or love or think about.

Here is one of our latest "something to do" events. What better than a opossum trap? Late one night, Bobby spotted a baby opossum quickly dart up the drain pipe just outside our side door. So naturally he had the kids help him set up a trap.

 

Complete with bells from the instrument box and a cantalope rind tied to a string to "trigger" the basket to fall down. The kids loved it, of course, and they would "check" on the trap throughout the day.

But, did we catch the baby opossum? No, but it was great to have "something to do."

- Post by Anna, the prairie-mom wannabe