“Patience is a virtue.”
Psychomachia - Aurelius Prudential Clemens
We’ve all heard this proverbial phrase countless times, but its not only true, its a virtue on the verge of extinction in an instant gratification world. We have fast food, instant-post social media, free-two day shipping, instant answers with google and the list goes on.
Today’s generation is not equipped to build patience, and it is necessary in life, because the best things only come with time. A career, lasting relationships, self-confidence are built over time, not ordered with rush shipping. So we better start being intentional in parenting with our patience training!
Here are 5 activities that can help build patience in our kids (and ourselves!):
Go On A Fishing Trip
I have some good memories fishing as a kid. The first time I caught a fish it grew exponentially with each recollection of the event. Fishing makes the list because not only does it give you time to just be with your fishing buddy, but it takes quiet patience to wait for a fish to take the bait. Its a fun, low-key activity that builds patience, allows for quiet moments and quality relational time. Three must-haves in life.
Grow A Garden
Whether you want to plant flowers or some veggies to eat, this is a wonderful introduction to nature as well as some training in consistency with routine watering and weeding. Patience is also germinates as kids have to wait for seeds to become plants. The process is grants joy as you wait to see what develops with time and experience each stage along the way.
Gain A Musical Skill
Learning to play a musical instrument introduces kids to consistent practice and puts them in a position to face and overcome failure. In the beginning if they don't get it right away, they may be tempted to quit. When we don’t give up we experience the best victory because we kept trying when it got hard, and they will know how to play an instrument to boot!
Get A Pen Pal
Now, we just send a private message, text or email and send a quick message to someone, but we used to write words with a pen onto paper. Then that paper was folded into an envelope, addressed, stamped and sent to its destination via the mail. There is beauty in writing words on a page that you have to give thought to because you can’t just instantly delete mistakes.
Getting an international pen pal is a wonderful introduction to different cultures, and it helps kids develop relationships over time. They get to write a letter and wait for a response. They get to learn to write sentences and ask questions. Its is a win-win exercise.
Gather Supplies For A Renovation
In our DIY culture, getting an old piece of furniture and re-working it is a great activity to do with kids. Smaller kids can get a box or some other raw wood piece from Hobby Lobby or Michael’s to paint and glue gems or some other embellishments on, once the paint has thoroughly dried. Learning the stages of such a project and taking the time to do each step, will give kids some patience in anticipation for the finished product.
Go On A Fishing Trip
I have some good memories fishing as a kid. The first time I caught a fish it grew exponentially with each recollection of the event. Fishing makes the list because not only does it give you time to just be with your fishing buddy, but it takes quiet patience to wait for a fish to take the bait. Its a fun, low-key activity that builds patience, allows for quiet moments and quality relational time. Three must-haves in life.
Grow A Garden
Whether you want to plant flowers or some veggies to eat, this is a wonderful introduction to nature as well as some training in consistency with routine watering and weeding. Patience is also germinates as kids have to wait for seeds to become plants. The process is grants joy as you wait to see what develops with time and experience each stage along the way.
Gain A Musical Skill
Learning to play a musical instrument introduces kids to consistent practice and puts them in a position to face and overcome failure. In the beginning if they don't get it right away, they may be tempted to quit. When we don’t give up we experience the best victory because we kept trying when it got hard, and they will know how to play an instrument to boot!
Get A Pen Pal
Now, we just send a private message, text or email and send a quick message to someone, but we used to write words with a pen onto paper. Then that paper was folded into an envelope, addressed, stamped and sent to its destination via the mail. There is beauty in writing words on a page that you have to give thought to because you can’t just instantly delete mistakes.
Getting an international pen pal is a wonderful introduction to different cultures, and it helps kids develop relationships over time. They get to write a letter and wait for a response. They get to learn to write sentences and ask questions. Its is a win-win exercise.
Gather Supplies For A Renovation
In our DIY culture, getting an old piece of furniture and re-working it is a great activity to do with kids. Smaller kids can get a box or some other raw wood piece from Hobby Lobby or Michael’s to paint and glue gems or some other embellishments on, once the paint has thoroughly dried. Learning the stages of such a project and taking the time to do each step, will give kids some patience in anticipation for the finished product.
Bonus Ideas:
- Gear Up For A Road Trip or 5K Race
- Gird Yourself With Clothes You Sewed As a Team
- Grab A Puzzle And Put It Together
You may have to alter some of these a bit depending on the age of your child(ren). You may also have some ideas of your own (feel free to comment some below). Regardless of what you do, patience is worth the time to cultivate in our kids!!
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