The Sadness of Swearing

It was another "reveal all" day with mom and daughters in the Walls household.  Fifth grade is wearing me thin!
 Our middle daughter was beside herself after school today... because of all the swearing!  Growing up is tough.  Knowing grownup things when you are 10 is redunkulous!  I couldn't believe everything she was asking and telling about what she hears on the bus and at school.  So, we sat down and one by one I had to explain what is a bad word, what isn't, what they mean, if I have ever said them, and WHY do the kids have to use these words. I can't believe this is what is on her heart and mind all day long at school.    I can't believe I had to use fun family time to explain words my girls have never heard before to them...  I was proud... for a moment.
Truly, it was overwhelming.  I am sad.  Sad for my daughters that they now know all of this icky stuff from mouths of babes.  I'm even more sad for the parents that have no clue their children talk like sailors,  don't reprimand their kids for using these kinds of words, or frankly allow it because it is easier than teaching the right way to behave.
I encouraged the girls to:  1- ignore when they hear these words; 2 - Pray for the person who is using them that they would make a better choice; 3- Set the example (which is really hard to do) with better choice words or asking someone to STOP filling their mind with garbage;  4 do what Jesus would do; and 5- in the words of my daughter, "Think about rainbows and unicorns!"

Now to challenge grown ups and parents.  Kids first hear bad words at home.  They spread to the bus (where we all know is the worst place on earth).  Swearing becomes a game in the classroom not to get caught, and then screamed randomly in the hallways to whoever can hear.   Let's do something about the never ending epidemic of, in truth,  looking and sounding really stupid because we can't think of something better to say.

Continually grateful for the cross!

PlayTime is Good For ALL!!

I still have over 2 weeks until it is my spring break.  I'm ready now!  Frankly I'm ready for the whole school year to be over, but I can't admit that to anyone... especially my students!
My niece and nephew are around this week which is a special treat.  My kids are doing everything possible to spend time with them as soon as they are home from school... which means not a lot of homework and usual "stuff" is getting done around the house.
Guess what... I'm not getting a lot of "stuff" done either.  Instead we are making memories.  It is 40 degrees and the kids are getting in trouble from Papa for driving the golf carts in the mud.  We are having nerf gun wars all over the house.  We are making videos and laughing and just hanging out.  In the end... the lesser of the grade on homework will not be remembered, but the playing and chillaxing with cousins will be thought of fondly for years to come.  AND I am even getting in on the fun, except there aren't enough guns for me!
Life is just too fast and hectic with schedules, games, and homework.  We don't take enough time to play with our kids... even if they are bigger and they CAN play by themselves.

Sadly, my spring break starts after Easter... after my kids'. Ugh!