Take a Kid Fishing or Skiing or Snowshoeing

    I went to a presentation yesterday about building assets in children.  One of the statistics I heard was the average parent talks to their child 2 minutes a day.  This wasn’t discussed in detail but even if the number was exaggerated slightly it means most parents aren’t spending much time talking to their kids.  If parents aren’t talking to their kids then who is?

     This opens up the opportunity for other adults to be an important part in the life of a child.  Kids need 3-4 caring adults in their lives so they can build the assets they need.  You could be an asset builder by simply greeting a child by their first name or better yet by spending quality time with them.  Where better could you spend time with a child than in the great outdoors this winter?

     There are plenty of opportunities to spend time with kids and plenty of kids out there who would enjoy time fishing or skiing with almost anyone.  This weekend is the Volkski in Cook County and there are plenty of great ski trails to be skiied.  Grab your skis, grab a couple of kids and sign up to ski part of the ski trail system on Saturday.

     If you’re looking for another way to spend time with a child then how about taking them ice fishing?  You can fish for free if you have a child age 16 or younger along with you on the weekend of February 18-20th.  Snowshoe out onto the ice, wet your line and talk to a child that needs to be listened to and supported.

     You may be thinking…  "I spend way more than 2 minutes talking to my child each day."  If so then that’s a great thing for your child but think about all of those kids who musn’t be conversing with their parents at all if 2 minutes is the average.  There are ways to get to know children in your community and most parents are more than willing to share their child with others.  Seek those people out, ask to spend time with their children and take those kids into the great outdoors.

     The benefits both you and the child will gain will last forever and you’ll be happier in the long run.  So go ahead take a kid fishing, skiing, snowshoeing or just sit down and chat with them.  We all need to build assets in all children and people in our communities.  And the world, will be a better place for me and you….

Annie Lennox (Various)

Put A Little Love In Your Heart
(Annie Lennox duet with Al Green)

Think of your fellow man

Lend him a helping hand

Put a little love in your heart

You see it’s getting late

Oh please don’t hesitate

Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place

And the world will be a better place

For you and me

You just wait and see

Another day goes by

And still the children cry

Put a little love in you heart

If you want the world to know

We won’t let hatred grow

Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place

And the world will be a better place

For you and me

You just wait and see

Wait and see

Take a good look around

And if you’re lookin’ down

Put a little love in your heart

I hope when you decide

Kindness will be your guide

Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place

And the world will be a better place

For you and me

You just wait and see

Put a little love in your heart

Put a little love in your heart

Put a little love in your heart

Put a little love in your heart

Put a little love in –

Put a little love in your heart…

 

And the world, will be a better place, for me and you