Question:
What are some appropriate Sunday activities that your kids enjoy?
Dilema:
We live in a VERY jewish area of New Jersey. Many are practicing in name only, while others are living in Kosher homes and are very strict. They will actually ask what kind of Jew you are-- orthodox, traditional, reform, or "other". Hmmm. What would happen if we began meeting in wards that were based upon our devotion to our faith. Are you an Active member, Non-active, "Jack mormon", etc. You get the point. Along with this has come a bit of difficulty in helping our kids understand why there are things we just don't do on Sunday. At first I thought that having such a heavily populated religious community would be great, but, I'm second guessing that now.
We're struggling with what is "okay" to allow your kids to do on Sunday. Now of course there are the obvious answers. No swimming, rowdy behaviors, movies, shopping, etc. What about letting your kid's friends come in to play? And even if you looked at it as a missionary tool, where's the line? We often have people over for dinner and the kids will run around while the adults visit. How is that really any different than letting in rowdy neighbor kids? Even though Brent and I can see that "line", it's often difficult for the kids to see. Geoff gets really frustrated when he sees his friends all out playing on their bikes and skateboards. I don't want him out there running around, treating the Sabbath like any other day. So, should we offer to let his neighbor friends in to the house and try giving them constructive things to do? Then the problems arise when the kids want to leave the house and go to someone else's place.
I just don't know how to make Sunday a day he doesn't end up regretting and dreading. In Utah it was just as bad. There were many neighbor kids that would run around riding bikes and playing, as though it was any other day of the week.
What do you suggest?
4 comments:
I would suggest just trying to fill the day up with lots and lots of family time. Try and keep his mind off his friends playing outside by doing stuff together. We often go for long walks as a family. If the weather is bad, we will play a board game together or sing songs. I remember growing up having the same issues of wanting to play with friends. In Indiana I remember this very vividly. Mom and dad would let us play with our brothers and sisters in our yard, but the second our friends came over or if we set foot off our property, we had to come inside. I don't think it's appropriate to allow your neighborhood kids to come and play inside, but that's just my own personal opinion. I do see where you come in on the whole having people over for dinner though. That's a really hard line. I'm just glad I'm not to that point with my kids yet. Good luck. :)
Lindsey
I agree with Lindsey. Sunday is different, and needs to be treated as such, regardless of everyone else's actions. -Jess
It's only going to get more difficult. What do you do when show choir practice is on an occasional Sunday? Or a recital? What about a homecoming date during the Priesthood session of Conference? Yes, these are all issues we have faced. I am not sure that we handled them appropriately or not. For example, we went with Dan to a guitar recital a couple of years ago. Some of the music played was Sunday appropriate music, some was not. The next year we decided not to go. Dan's teacher was very upset. So upset in fact that Dan does not take guitar lessons anymore from this individual.
Making Sunday a different day, perhaps by allowing certain activities to only be done on Sunday, will make the day one to look forward to instead of one to dread.
I agree with everyone else. I don't really have much more to add. But, like already said, Sunday is a different day and should be treated like so.
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