05.02.08 How To Be A Better Family (For A Weekend)
"So here’s the plan for tomorrow,” I said. Gresham squirmed in a chair. Gabriella climbed up into Becky’s lap. And Penelope snored in the next room. “We’re gonna say our prayers, then go to bed, then wake up and have breakfast, then we’re having a family meeting.”
“What’s a family meeting?” Gresham belted. (He belts everything.)
“We’re gonna talk about how we can be a better family than we were today.”
“A better family?” Gresham repeated, like we boys do to fool others into thinking we’re actually listening.
“Yes, we’re having a meeting about being a better family...and then I’m getting on a plane and going to Canada.”
“And then we’ll be a better family?” Becky grinned.
“Pretty much,” I admitted.
It’s been one of those weeks for me us.
john in colorado said:
God bless Shaun Groves and his family. He needs your help. Amen.
said:
Shaun,
Knowing you as I do, and knowing that you are a perfectionist, I want to lovingly remind you that you ARE a wonderful family. Yes, there’s always room for improvement, but don’t forget to list all those positives that are already in place while looking for ways to improve.
Beth
Linda Sue said:
I think I like your wife. Even your kids are witty - bless you as you travel and they get a time to more deeply appreciate their cake decorating daddy! Life doesn’t have a check list - your family sounds wonderful - being better is a worthy goal. Enjoy the ride though - enjoy the ride.
Shaun Groves said:
I appreciate the encouragement guys (gals), but don’t get hung up on the “better family” wording. Admittedly, reading back over the post, it sounds a bit dramatic and perfectionistic of us, but it’s not.
“A meeting about being a better family” just sounds better to kids than “we’re going to have a meeting at which mom and dad give you more chores and remind you of your responsibility as part of the family to help us and each other out, oh, and mom and dad will apologize for being a bit high-strung this week too.”
We talk about family as a team a lot. We all have a job to do so the family works the way it’s supposed to and no one gets stuck with all the work or all the fun. That’s all this is about. And my being pretty heady and introspective this week and the kids being unusually negligent of their responsibilities just created one of those perfect storm type of days yesterday...a good opportunity to re-re-re-explain what “family” is and re-re-re-explain to my family how much I love them no matter how not-so-present I’ve actually been while at home this week.
Thanks again for the encouragement though. Just not as needed perhaps as this post might make it sound.
Linda Sue said:
ROFL - so the sky isn’t falling on Chicken Little or the Shlog house? Never fear - someone here in the blogo world can misconstrue any heading, posting or ending - even a changed profile picture can elicit concerns. Party on -
Kevin D. Hendricks said:
I’ve heard Canada can have that affect on families.
said:
I should’ve known.
Beth