Pages

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Is Folding Fitted Sheets that important?

The other day I was on certain website that allows you to add pictures of things you like (you know what I mean). I enjoy some stuff that I see on this and some ideas that I get from this but the other day out of fascination I clicked on a group of pictures of folded sheets. Yes, you heard me right. I just couldn't believe that someone posted this as an amazing thing. I don't regret that I clicked on this but I am still amazed at what I found. It was a blog by, I am sure a very nice young woman, explaining how to fold a fitted sheet...an entire blog on this. Included at the end were the comments...358 of them, for the most part, thanking her for this valuable information that none of them had ever been taught or been able to figure out. UNBELIEVABLE. Now, I consider myself a good folder. I like my stacks of clothes neat and tidy but let's be honest, you are just going to sleep on those sheets and wrinkle them up!! Why are we so concerned about getting all the wrinkles out and having them look like presents on our shelves? Go outside and play with your kids. They won't notice the poorly folded sheets (and seriously it isn't that hard. corner to corner. fold corners together, fold, fold, fold, nice and neat) mainly because they will be on their beds when they see them. They won't appreciate that you washed them either but...all in good time. What your children will appreciate is the fact that you took the time to put down your phone (turn it off and put it in your purse. Trust me the calls and texts will be there when you turn it back on) and pushed them on the swing or sat in the sandbox and built a sandcastle for them to destroy. Which leads me to another thing...phones on the playground and the parents who have them. I take care of 3 kids, 9, 6 and 2. When we go do something I take a few pictures of them with my phone and then I turn the sound off and put it into the pocket of my purse. I try not to answer texts or calls (unless it's their mom and she needs something) BUT I do try to concentrate on the kids and what they are saying to me. What I see at the park, zoo or children's museum are parents sitting on the sidelines looking down at their phone and paying close attention to someone else besides their children. Then the parents wonder why the kids don't listen or pay attention. There were no cell phones when my kids were little and while I appreciate the convenience of them I am saddened by the ADD they cause TO kids. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (In other words these kids are suffering from a lack of attention FROM their parents) Those kids are only there for a season and we will have technology forever. 
I just had the privilege of spending a week with my parents. When we were kids Dad and Mom took us camping, played games with us, worked puzzles, took us ice skating (or since one my sisters and I didn't have skates - ice sliding...) swimming in the ocean, swimming in a creek, swimming in a pool, hiking and they let us ride our bikes all over creation, play football in the yard, taught us how to shoot a bow, played croquet with us and on and on... it was the 60's and 70's. They took pictures with a camera and the phone was in the house not being answered and what do you know, life still went on. I have are good memories of fun times. I am happy that cell phones weren't in all homes until my girls were older. I am also happy that my mom didn't iron sheets and spend hours folding them so they looked like presents (Mom, I apologize if you did but I just proved my point. Kids don't remember that stuff)
What I love is that she read us books and fed us good food and fixed our cuts and bruises that she allowed us to go outside and acquire. 
Goodness, this turned into quite a speech. But seriously it has been on my heart. 
Giving someone your attention is an amazing gift. 

2 comments:

  1. As a fellow ice slider and pre cell phone survivor, I agree 100%. So funny because the other day it struck me so hard just exactly what those camping trips and vacations and deputation visits were in terms of WORK on the part of Dad and Mom. Six kids, traveling all day in a non air conditioned car, setting up camp here there and everywhere...no not an RV, not even a POPUP camper, just tents. No not the tents that snap up as soon as you take them out of the bag. The heavy canvas puzzles of pole and fabric, wet at times from rain. And the cooking on the camp stove ...for 8 people. Ken and I had a moment of respectful silence after we got done discussing it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amen my dear friend! Love that you took the time to type this. Its hard to wade in a pond, ride a horse, or pick wild grapes with a cell phone. Hopefully my grands will remember this. Love you!!

    ReplyDelete