You're on "(Insert Last Name Here)" Camera!

I have recently started reading a book called Desperate Households, by Christian author Kathy Peel. I wouldn't say that I am in desperation mode at all, but as a new stay-at-home mom, I can use all the pointers that I can get to meet expectations. I really could have used this book when I was working outside the home as well! I haven't gotten far into the book, but she wrote something that struck me, and I had to pass it along.

She was talking about an experience in which she was a guest on a television program that had followed a family around and recorded their time together. Kathy states the following:

I thought to myself, Wow, I don't know many people who would want everything recorded, because they might say some things or do some things they'd want to be edited out and not replayed.

This experience serves as a good illustration and reminder that although most of us would probably never allow a television crew to record what's happening in our homes, our children's minds are much like video camera, constantly recording what's going on around them. When it comes to how they feel about their home and family, we don't know which attitudes and actions will be edited out and which ones will be archived in their memory banks.

So true! I needed to be reminded of that. Not that I do "bad things" around my children, but I want them to have many more positive experiences than negative ones. I tend to stress out about the small things and allow that to affect my mood around my family. I need to watch my attitude, and make our home a safe, comfortable environment that everyone can't wait to come back to at the end of the day.