For each of these items you can ask yourself- is my child happy and fulfilled in these areas? What areas does child need help in? It would be difficult for them to be having fun playing if they have problems elsewhere.

In dealing with each of these items, here’s an example of dealing with a checklist item: Energy Levels/Fatigue: Let’s take a closer look at this. Children naturally have routines during day. Wake-up, get dressed, breakfast, school, after-school activities, suppertime, homework, evening snack, bedtime. Yet you cannot expect children to have same energy level in afternoon after a long day of school/play as they would have in morning when they are fresh from a full night of sleep. Many experienced parents know that when children are tired, especially little children, they just do not function as well in being able to do activities, in listening to their parents, or even at times to behave normally (!!). So this is a good item for checklist: How tired is your child?

“I still find each day too short for all thoughts I want to think, all walks I want to take, all books I want to read, and all friends I want to see.” John Burroughs

For parents, same can apply for time spent with their children! Parents who want to get most out of being able to build relationships with their children should consider (as difficult as it is) to schedule their day around times that children have high energy levels.

An example of a good time to be with children is after supper. Often children are well-fed, and time spent sitting at dinner table allows them to recharge their batteries. They are refreshed and well-fed and ready for some evening activity.

The time that is well-spent with children is like depositing a lot of value into a bank account of love and trust with your child. And what could be more valuable than that?

“Life is half spent before we know what it is.” George Herbert

Afterwards, I remember daddy sitting down and saying, "Boys, I've got to rest a minute." He felt better and we drove 50 miles back to Blackshear and mama's good supper.

Our Christmas tree was up and presents were wrapped. Only two days and a night until Christmas! That night, my 40 year old preacher daddy dropped dead of a heart attack.

I remember all people coming, Christmas tree and presents being removed, and my daddy's casket taking that spot.

On that cold, cloudy, Christmas day, we buried my daddy. Suddenly, presents and trees didn't mean that much. The Lord answered daddy's Christmas prayer-he longed to be with Jesus.

From that Christmas on, I truly realized what true meaning of Christmas is. Yes, it's a time of celebration...For unto us this day is born a Savior...Without His birth, we would have no hope of being reunited with our loved ones.

I will see my Daddy again. You see, almost eight years ago, another one of daddy's prayers was answered. I, too, am a child of King.

This Christmas of 1994, let us rejoice in birth and death of Lord Jesus Christ. Because He lives, we can live, also.

Luke 2.11 "For unto you is born this day in city of David a Saviour, which is Christ Lord."

Footnote...Both my brother-in-law, Joe, and I are preachers. Clyde was 26 when Lord called him home. Clyde and my Daddy were both born on August 18..both died on December 22, and both were buried on Christmas day (10 years apart)

Irvin L. Rozier, aka walkin2e