Books in Review

Family Activities are an important aspect of building relationships. One of our favorite family activities is reading a book together in the evening. You might envision Little House on the Prairie as I describe the following scene. Our baby is normally already asleep. Everyone is sitting in the living room in their jammies. The younger children may be playing with toys while listening or all may be helping shell pecans (in season) or everyone just quietly listening.  Their Dad begins reading. I know, the only thing missing is a roaring fire but we have no fireplace! Finishing one chapter, all eagerly beg for another. Whether it is out of sincere enjoyment or postponing bedtime…who knows? I would like to think that is purely sincere enjoyment of the book. But, after all, they are still children and what child normally likes to go to bed when the option to stay up is available!

Currently, we are reading Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen. The story takes place after World War II. It details the struggles of a family regaining their relationships after the father’s return from war. The family moves to the country to live in the grandmother’s house. They hope the hard work of country living and fresh country air will accomplish the needed healing. The book tries to promote traditional family values in snippets over a year of their new country life. Sibling rivalry (meanness) is a bit too prominant in the book. But these scenes lead us into meaningful discussions as to what Christian family relationships really should be. Respect for the parents is developed throughout the plot.

If you have never tried family activities, try reading together as a family, I would highly recommend it. Quality time spent interacting together helps produce lasting, valuable relationships. It is one of the things that we do together as a family which helps bond us together as well as teaching the children to be attentive.