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Labor day- a celebration of hard work

8/30/2018

Monday, Labor Day, marks the un-official end to summer. The kids will be, or have already been in school. Schools supplies are bought and packed. And whether they were ready or not, Labor day weekend is here and so is the new school year. But what is Labor Day really all about? Is it just another day off from work? Is it the last opportunity to go to the beach? Is it the end of “Family time?”

The truth of the matter with regards to Labor Day is this. It is a day, set aside each first Monday of September to celebrate the working men and women of our great nation. It is a day to celebrate the hard work of the American labor force as it worked to create, and to maintain, this nation that we know today. The homes we live in, the cars we drive, the appliances we use in our homes. The roads we drive on and the sidewalks we walk on, all built by hardworking individuals to make every day life a little easier for all of us. It’s also about the hardworking men and women who don’t always get holidays off because they are busy working as police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, nurses, doctors, and of course, our military, protecting us and keeping us healthy as we celebrate. I left out the thousands, even millions of people who work in other “service” related industries because, I believe that they should have the day off to celebrate the hard work they do the other 364 days of the year. (Of course they should have Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day off as well.)

Labor Day began in New York City with the labor Unions coming together to create a, “Working Man’s Holiday.” This was first established in 1882 with a parade, a picnic, and fireworks. There were also speeches by the labor unions leadership. This tradition continued, and quickly became a holiday that the individual states adopted. Then, in 1894, congress passed a law creating the first Monday of September as a national holiday to celebrate the hardworking men and women of our country who keep us moving forward as a nation through innovation and hard work.

So, as you are spending this weekend, and Monday, with your families, don’t let the moment pass with out remembering that it was our Grandfathers, and Great-Grandfathers, and Great-Great Grandfathers who, through much sweat and tears and hard work set the ground work for all the things in this country that we enjoy today. Take time to talk to your kids about what hard work means. Teach them about integrity and a strong work ethic. Teach them that when you start something you finish it. We, as parents and grand-parents, should desire to build the next generation of workers as ones who will work hard for all of us. A nation of workers who will work for, and help their neighbors.

Colossians 3:22-24 says’ “ Bondservants,(servants, workers) obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Parentheses mine)

Have a blessed Labor Day Weekend. I’ll Talk to you soon.

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August 16th, 2018

8/16/2018

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It is hard to believe that the summer has come and gone so quickly. It seems as if we had just finished the school year and here we are about to start a new one. Crazy Huh? But it is what it is and as hard as we might try we can not push back the calendar. Time will, and must, march on.
So, as we enter into a new school year, I thought it wise to help the parents of school aged children, especially those in the elementary grades, with ideas on what you can pack your child for snack.
One of the biggest issues that teachers have with their students, and their ability to remain focused through the WHOLE day, are some of the items that are being packed for the mid-morning or early afternoon snack time.
Cookies, candy, chips and other easy to pack foods that may satisfy a sweet tooth or a quick craving may seem fine on the outside, but when it is consumed by our children it can have a very negative effect on how they do in school. It goes without saying that we want our children to do well in school, but we don’t always set them up the proper way for them to succeed. Here are some healthy suggestions that are easy to pack and will help both your child succeed and their teachers maintain their sanity.
1.       Trail Mix – This is available in all kids of mix varieties. From all nut, all fruits, and a combination with small chocolate candies. This gives your child a variety of flavors and textures as well as a shot of protein to help them get through the day and to the next meal.
2.       Granola Bar – Much like the Trail Mix, a granola bar has nuts, oats and fruit, as well as chocolate and/or peanut butter. The other nice thing about a granola bar is it fits in the palm of the hand, and generally does not make a mess on the floor.
3.       String Cheese – Other than having some nutritional value, ie. Protein and some calcium, it is just darn fun to eat. Pulling the cheese from top to bottom in little strings, hence the name string cheese, will make the snack last longer, and can create a little friendly competition to see who can pull off the thinnest, longest string.
4.       Popcorn – Here is a great choice for a snack, but it is important to think of the teacher on this one. Popcorn as a snack should be pre-popped and in a sandwich bag. Teachers do not have time to go and pop 10 to 15 to 30 bags of microwave popcorn, and most elementary students don’t have access to a microwave in school. Unless they have one packed in their oversized book bag. Just kidding. Please don’t send your child to school with a microwave.
5.       Fruit Snacks – These are easy to find and easy to put in a book bag, but be careful about what the package means by “fruit.” Many have only a flavoring and very little actual nutritional value. They may be fun to eat, but the sugar content, and lack of protein, will not help your child make it through the day. Instead, try sending them with actual fruit, snack sized that is.
6.       Veggies – I know, “What child wants to be eating carrots and/or celery while everyone else in class is eating the “good stuff.” Well, maybe that child can be the catalyst to start a healthy eating craze in the classroom. Every school, every class needs a leader who is willing to step outside the norm and show the rest of the world that veggies are cool! I know, I stretched on that one a bit, but they are good and healthy.
I hope that these six, quick suggestions will be helpful, or perhaps stir your own imagination as to what to pack your child for a school snack. When you are looking for packaged snack foods, please take the time to read the labels. Watch out for items that are full of sugar, and nothing else. We want to feed our children snacks that will help them maintain their focus through the day. A good mix of carbohydrates and protein will go much further than a plain block of sugar we call candy. It is never easy to pack in a way that will create harmony with our children, but as we send them off to learn the ABC’s and 123’s, let us do so in a way that will set them up to succeed and feel good at the same time.
Have a Blessed day, and welcome back to school!

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Labor day- a celebration of hard work

August 16th, 2018

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