Way back in the late 1990s I attended a parent orientation meeting for my oldest child, who was about to enter junior high. I was no stranger to the school system or the classroom setting, so I was expecting the event to be along the lines of dress codes, lunch accounts, and so forth. What I wasn’t expecting was the message relayed by the school counselor. The quick version went like this, “You need to make sure your students spend this year deciding what they want to do with the rest of their life so that they can plan their high school schedule accordingly.”
No thank you. I wasn’t about to put that kind of pressure on my teenager! Taking school seriously, i.e., doing their best…absolutely! That was something we expected of all our kids. But to decide their future before they had a driver’s license or had earned their first ‘official’ paycheck? I don’t think so! Their brains (not to mention hormones) aren’t equipped for such as that. Besides, how many of you either know someone or who are the someone who thought they knew for sure and for certain what career path they would take…but went another direction?
Let’s also talk about kids who enjoy more than one sport or activity. From where I’m sitting, I have a bird’s eye view of what’s happening to these kids. They are being punished, so to speak, because they aren’t able or willing to put EVERYTHING aside for ‘that’ one activity. If they aren’t willing to drop everything else for ‘that’, they don’t need to bother. How sad is that?!? Sending the message that being well-rounded and not putting all your eggs in one basket is wrong, is…well, that’s wrong!
We get all melancholy and mushy when they start school, and then high school. We sigh and wonder where the time went when they start driving, dating, applying for college, and so forth. But yet we don’t do everything we can to keep the ‘fun’ in fundamentals. We don’t demand (yes, demand) that our schools, extracurricular activity coaches and leaders stick to teaching the fundamentals of life instead of robbing them of the fun they should be having as kids.
What do I mean by fundamentals? Fundamentals are grade-level academics, using manners and good character qualities that we should be teaching them at home, following instructions, working as a team, interacting with peers and adults in a respectful manner, obeying the rules, and good citizenship. On the flip side of things, here are a few examples of what fundamentals are not. Making kids believe winning at all costs is okay, being pressured to choose one interest over all others, being made to feel ‘less than’ if they excel in the arts or practical skills over science and math, and pounding it into their heads that they need to make decisions now, that they simply aren’t capable of making.
Childhood and the teen years are meant to be years of exploration, growing, learning, and discovering the ins and outs of the fundamentals of life. And having plenty of fun along the way. God willing, they are going to spend several decades being adults, so why would we even consider robbing them of the few years of their life in which they should wake up every day believing there is an element of fun waiting for them to enjoy? Especially since we know how quickly these few years pass by. The answer is we shouldn’t. We shouldn’t let anyone or anything rob our children of experiencing the fun in fundamental learning and life!
Colossians 4:6,
Darla, aka, Momma D
Who am I?
I’m Darla Noble—Author, Speaker, and Ghostwriter with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself.
I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.
What do I write?
Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.
Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.
Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.
What do I say and who do I say it to?
*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.
*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!
*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.
*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!
*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.
*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.
*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more. Or if you want to make every day extra-special, check out my newest book, "Every Day is Today...." -a book full of special days and ideas on how to celebrate them.
Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).
Where can you find me?
My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore.