Do your children ever waste time? Of course they do! Children by nature are not given to thoughtfully investing time in the things that matter most. For them play, fun and games take priority over long term goals and character development.
It is up to you and I as parents to train our children to properly value and use time. That’s why a wise parent will give their children more tools than toys. A 10 year old boy can get just as excited about a new tool box, filled with hammers and nails, as he can with the latest electronic game, if his appetite for it is cultivated.
So start when they are young by giving them plastic hammers, toy sewing machines, and children’s kitchen or workshop sets. Children benefit much more form imitating their parents at work, than they do from toys which are simply designed to pacify them and keep them quiet.
Remember, giving tools instead of toys is good parenting because it trains your children to redeem the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
