Valerie is a 42-year-old, single, Reformed Christian lady who lives in Baltimore. She doesn't remember a time
before she knew and loved Jesus, but she does remember accepting John Calvin into her heart in March of 2000.
Valerie is a member of Christ Reformed Evangelical Church in Annapolis.
Though her career aspiration is to be a housewife, Valerie has not yet found anyone suitable who wishes to hire
her for employment in that field (or, more properly, anyone suitable has not found her), so in the meantime she
earns her daily bread working in communications -- editing, writing, print design and website management.
On the Entertainment of 6-Year-Old Boys
So there's a new man in my life: a rather short, but devastatingly handsome one who's been riding to and from church with me on Sundays. (His mom, too.) First of all, am I going to get in deep doo-doo for not having a booster seat for him, and if so, where might I find such a beast, preferably of the cheap or free persuasion? Second of all, what can I do to bless him on that rather longish, boringish ride before he has to sit through a nearly 2-hour service? So far the best thing about Sundays for him has been trampoline access when we get invited to lunch with one family or another. I'd like to add at least one more blessing of the variety that's more readily comprehended by chronologically disadvantaged persons who haven't yet quite developed a profound appreciation for covenant renewal worship. ;-) I confess that while I am certainly a fan of 6-year-old boys, I am by no means and expert on them, so I call upon you, dear readers, for counsel on what treats, trinkets or diversions might be of use in expressing love to a young male of the species. I promise I will pay more heed than I did with the pumpkin pie issue!
Posted by Valerie (Kyriosity) at 8:51 PM
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11 comments
11 Comments:
On November 19, 2008 8:00 AMMargaret in VAwrote... Okay, for the ride, Steve Green has scripture set to music that would be nice. Also, transformers are a type of car toy that turns into a robot, so will keep hands busy for a little while. Keeping them in a basket in the car (or in the glove box) and making them just a Sunday toy will probably make them just right. The booster seat, though you might find one in a thrift shop, ask around at church, they are something that gets grown out of fairly quickly. A piece of Sunday Chocolate is probably a good idea, too.
On November 19, 2008 10:10 AMMarlawrote... My seven year old is crazy about plastic/rubber bugs, fish, frogs, dinosaurs etc. You can buy packages at the dollar store. I'm amazed at how long he can entertain himself with those!
On November 19, 2008 12:57 PMByronwrote... Listen to him. Having been a six-y-o boy once, I can attest to the effectiveness of this. (I've also seen it as an adult on the other side; when a child knows an adult is really paying attention to them, they really dig it.)
If he's a talker, it won't be too hard to get him going. If he's more the shy type, ask what he enjoys doing, or what some of his interests are. Try to find some common area, no matter how small ("speaking of guns, I had a salad shooter once...."). Ask questions that allow him to add to the story. Ask him about what you see outside the windows. A conversation with a child can be fascinating on many levels.
Of course, if the idea is that you want to talk with his mother during the ride, you'll have to modify or ignore this suggestion. Maybe use a her turn / his turn approach.
On November 19, 2008 1:54 PMValerie (Kyriosity)wrote... Margaret -- I've tried singing with him, and he'll sing the few songs he knows, but he gets irritated when I try to sing or teach him with new ones. I may try the CD idea, though, since that might be less inhibiting. I like the idea of having a box or basket that's his...something that stays in the car that he can look forward to opening each Sunday.
Marla -- Good ideas. I see a trip to the dollar store in my future! If I buy a bunch of things, I can put something new in "Nasir's Sabbath Box" every week, it'll be something to look forward to.
Byron -- Since Nasir is typically konked out on the way home, I thought I'd try focusing on him on the ride to church and focusing on his mom on the return trip. Conversation has proved difficult -- he's clearly not used to engaging with adults in this way, and his discomfort shows up in irritation. He'll warm up eventually, I think, but I can't fill much time this way.
On November 20, 2008 8:59 PMAbra Mariewrote... Once Upon a Child in Crofton probably has 2nd hand booster seats fairly affordably. I got a portable bassinet there for Mira for $20.00.
My mom always kept crayons and coloring books in the car along with snacks (which explains why *my* car is always such a disaster). Still, it helps occupy the wee people. My brothers always liked toy cars (which you can also find at $1.00) and dinosaurs/guns/cowboys/toy soldiers. All the typical boy stuff.
On November 28, 2008 7:29 AMOlivia Wellswrote... hi miss valerie! A little six year old boy? Wow he must be fun. Maybe you could play some sort of game with him. Our kids like to find all the letters of the alphabet by looking at signs along the road. Or count all the white (or any color) cars you see. Maybe he won't want to but its good that you're trying.
