You have heard of the children’s game where everyone does what the leader does or says. This next generation is a hands on generation. I told you so or it’s in the Bible is not good enough for them. I am not sure why it was good enough for my generation.

Children desire to be lead and shown an example of how to live. I am not always the best example to my kids, but I try and have a desire to be a good example. Is desire enough though? If I have a heart to do what is right, but don’t do it what will my kids think of me. Will they call me a hypocrite?

How many times have I had good intentions and not followed through. What does that do for my children? Can they trust me?

I know that trust is earned and I do not take their trust lightly. One of the ways I have tried to eliminate not following through is not making promises I can’t keep. Over time I have learned that things come up and if I tell them we are going to do an activity they trust my word. I have learned to tell them we might be able to do that activity, but we will have to see.

I want my words to mean something. I want my children to be able to follow my lead as I follow Christ. It causes me to be more aware of what I do and say when my children are always watching.

Wow! I can’t believe my youngest turned 8 yrs old today. He is the sweetest 8 yr old I know. He gets to celebrate all week because he had football tonight so we couldn’t do our traditional family dinner.

Here are his festivities:

• Waffles for dinner tonight with his brothers, Bryan and me.
• Longhorn steakhouse tomorrow night  with family
• Sunday afternoon skating party with family and friends

It gets confusing as when to give him his gifts. Today he opened a cool hoodie from Papa and Nana, Bryan’s parents.  He opened his gift from my parents while on the phone with my Mom. It was so cool to hear his excitement while she was listening. It was a Wii game he wanted.

When do you give your kids their birthday gifts?