Busy Lives... a good thing?

Young families of today are busier than they were when I had my children growing up. I'm sure it's true. There are so many activities for kids to do... many more than there were years ago. School takes up more time because most school work is now done at home. Children put in a lot of hours. I'm not sure that's all good. I think children need to be encouraged to use their imaginations... everything shouldn't be planned 'for' them. Parents are so busy they hardly have time for each other, let alone extended families. I remember calling my Mom at least twice a week... and when she lived closer I called her daily. But maybe I had more time. I remember going to visit my Mom on weekends... taking the whole family and spending the weekend at Grandmas house. We always took food and did odd jobs for her around the house. Sometimes I only cleaned the stove, but I did something. Other times we worked in the yard or put down tile in the kitchen. Stuff. We did stuff. And sometimes we just barbequed or made other food...The kids loved going. I taught them Grandma was a special person, which she was.

Times change... not always for the better. It's sad in a way... that many kids will not have that sense of extended family... Hard for me as an older person to understand.

Past this old lady's bedtime. Seeya tomorrow.

J