Currently, we are playing chess at our house. It makes me smile when I realize we have spent an evening without the television on or a computer in our laps. But there are other ideas for playing with your children.
My friend Jordan who played catch with his dad right into adulthood, suggested the below Trevin Wax offers several ideas for playing with your children:
5 Ways to Play With Your Kids This Christmas
I’m sure I’m just one of the many parents who hugged their kids a little closer on Friday night after hearing about the horror at an elementary school in Connecticut. Perhaps this horrible tragedy will serve as a reminder to cherish the time we have with our children.
During the holiday season, we’re tempted to spend too much time on our iPhones, on the computer, or watching television. Following our example, our kids isolate themselves too. We’re together physically, but no one is having fun. No wonder by New Year’s everyone is ready to get back into the normal routine.
Can I challenge you, parents? Don’t let this holiday season go by without spending time just having fun with your kids. No agenda. Just fun.
My friend, Zach Nielsen, sees in a parent playing with their kids a picture of the gospel. He writes:
I am continually reminded how much our kids need our undivided attention, on their terms, and not ours. This communicates volumes in terms of humble service which is the essence of the Gospel.
You want your kids to understand the Gospel? Get on the floor and play with them. Then when you speak of God coming down and condescending to our weakness they’ll have a picture of loving service to equate it to.
Likewise, Michael Kelley writes about the surprising side effect of playing with your kids:
Who would have ever thought that the main way to mortify my flesh today was playing with my kids?
I play with my kids, and hopefully then have a small notion of the great willingness and desire of God to be with His people. And as for me, playing with them – really playing with them – is another means by which God uses to pry my white-knuckled fingers off my idol of self.
So, dads, can I encourage you with this today? Play with your kids – not only for their sake, but also for yours.
Here are some creative options for playing with your kids this holiday season:
1. Instead of watching a movie . . .
Read the rest here.
