Balancing Act!

Remember the old-fashioned TV variety shows? One in particular had a man who spun plates on flexible poles. He would start one spinning, then another, another..then one would begin to fall and he would run back and spin it again and keep adding plates to poles as long as he could. I remember being truly entertained! (Guess it didn't take much!) Balancing "LIFE" is even more difficult. As a father it has always been important to me to make the concept of balance a major priority for my children. This has been successful to varying degrees, but remains a major focus of my parenting scheme!  It began as a simple transition when dropping Sean (my oldest) off at school. I wanted him to do his best academically, socially and individually. The only phrase that worked for me was "work hard, play hard". At the time I wasn't sure if it would sink in. Nonetheless, I continued using the phrase with Sean, Ryne, and Aubrey (kids 2 and 3) and will use it again with Jacob and Joshua (kids 4 and 5). How do we know if it is sinking in?  I wasn't even thinking about that when I first uttered the words. Then Sean started writing college application essays. He did not need my help but he used my words. He titled an essay...wait for it..."Work Hard, Play Hard". He explained how it had resonated with him and how he thought it would play forward as a college level student! I had no idea he had ever thought about it beyond the fact that it was how we left each other early on school day mornings. I believe that for him and my other children this has become a mantra of BALANCE!  Do your best in all areas..WITHOUT DRIVING YOURSELF CRAZY!  Find your own mantra, teach it to your children with the confidence that it will guide them even when you can't say it to them directly. As we get older it turns around as sage advise for our own lives. Age with the concept of work hard. play hard and reap the benefits of a harmonious. productive lifestyle!