One of my readers recently posted a comment about home school parents not spending quality (non-schooling) time with their kids. Raise your hands if you are guilty.

Well then, let’s set some ground rules and make immediate changes since we all agree that our children are the most important thing. Right? Oh no. There are no “buts” about it. If your kids are the most important thing than why the excuses for not spending the time THEY need with you outside of “class” time.

I was once told that you can’t say, “I believe in freedom of speech but…I don’t think the KKK has a right to march down my street chanting to get rid off all the blacks, gays, and Jews.” If you believe in freedom of speech than you take it with the good, bad and you stand behind that freedom and fight to the death for it as we Americans have done for centuries.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard parents say things like, “I know I should spend more time with my kids but…my kid sees me all day, lives in a beautiful house in safe neighborhood, has all the luxuries I never had, and is not denied anything!”. YES, YOUR CHILDREN ARE DENIED BY YOU! Remember, kids need the basics. It’s only when you get older that you get complicated. Kids need food, shelter, clothing ($80 sneakers don’t count), and parents to love them, guide them, comfort them, discipline them, acknowledge them, and teach them.

I do Wacky Wild Science shows at South Florida schools. I teach kids about nature, exploration, and bugs! When I do my shows for after-school kids, on my way out I always, always see parents picking up their kids while they are talking on the phone. These kids haven’t seen their parents since 7:30AM and it’s now 6PM!

First rule, when you are with you kids be with your kids. No phone. If it’s an emergency the person calling can always dial 911.

Second rule, if you are not having at least one real family sit-down meal with your children, at home, you are sinning. I am not sure of the technical name for this sin is but it is a sin. Say grace, say a prayer, say something that shows you are slowing down to appreciate this meal and time with each other. Listen to your children talk about what is on their mind (don’t judge – just listen), laugh a lot, blow bubbles in your drink, make a fruit salad together and let the juice drip down your face.

Third rule, you don’t need to plan big events and special places to go on the weekends. Kids are always being ushered from one place to another, from one commitment to another commitment. Try doing nothing special and special things may happen. No, don’t just sit around watching TV. Go to a park and walk around. See who can find the most butterflies, dragonflies, squirrels, or spider webs. See who can kick the same rock for the longest time or start a little camp fire, find some sticks, add marshmallows (remember those) and roast away. Your kids will forget the big things you find important but they will always remember how you both ate those marshmallows in the middle of a Sunday at the park.

Fourth rule, get your kids outdoors. Since your kids are already hooked on the remote control babysitter you just can’t pull the plug on the T.V. How about a project that takes their attention away from the box. Tell your kids you need help with a project. You need them to go outside and find two small twigs, three medium sticks, and one big one. You can do this with rocks, leaves, the ideas is to get them exploring. Guaranteed they will come back with everything you request.

What do you do with the rocks and sticks? Fifth rule, kids learn creativity from their parents. Be spontaneous. Ask them what to do with the items. Paint them. Glue them. Stick them in a pot and cook them, really. The idea is to have fun, be silly, and they will learn the good things from you instead of the garbage on the streets on TV.

Mea culpa. It means “I am guilty”. So make the change now. Have a Wacky Wild day!