Boundaries

Now that we live in a new neighborhood in a new house with 2 more doors to come in and out of, we have to teach our children their new boundaries and establish ground rules. In this new neighborhood, there are new playmates all around with one big giant backyard where there are play sets and trampolines galore. It is awesome, and I am happy that our children will have more people to play with as they grow up; however, it has been challenging when all of a sudden our son is gone and we are wondering where he went and find out he has gone next door to play with an old kindergarten classmate of his.

Somehow, through all the craziness of moving we did not tell him that he needs to ask permission from us, and we need to make sure it is okay with the other little boys' parents. Our children are all still young so we haven't ventured into being a bit more permissive in this area. Maybe we will be a bit more permissive as we get more comfortable with our new neighbors and as the children get older, although we are definitely both of the mindset that being overly permissive is a detriment, but that is for another post. On the other hand, we do not want to be overly protective either, also another post.

We also need to teach them about what toys they can take over to their new friends' houses as well as what can come over here. If our son takes his legos over there, they get all mixed up with their legos and you have a big mess of legos everywhere even if they could build something really cool with their combined sets. Now that I am typing this it sounds really dumb, but it seems like a good rule to me (and to dear husband who is a little possessive of our son's legos even though he (the dad) has his own set of practically every star wars lego ever known, but I digress). I know I'm rambling, it is a little early for me, sorry, let me get to my point.

God gives us grace to help us along the road, but the devil can place snares along the way as well. This makes me think of the internet. There is so much good out there to find and learn, but it is like a big giant backyard with play sets and trampolines galore. Where to go, what to learn, who to follow? I am thinking a lot about this because yesterday I practically spent all day, off and on, surfing around the internet reading different blogs, deciding to follow or not? To follow publicly or not? Who are these people? They seem nice, but I really do not know these people at all.

Bottom line, I hope our school books come soon because we really need some structure around here, not only for them, but for me. I really do not need to be obsessively checking my new friends' blogs all the time. Or my own for that matter. Does blogging make me obsessive, or am I am I blogging because I am obsessive? Rambling once again. Focus, back to point. Think I'll pray.

O Dear Jesus, hear me, graciously hear me, help me to sort out where you want me to go and what you want me to read and who you want me to follow. In following other people you place in my life, let us follow You together, and when it seems like that cannot happen, give me the courage to follow You alone. Thank You for Your Word and Your Commandments to keep us within the strength and beauty of Your Will. Thank You for the healing grace of Confession, and the nourishment You give us in Your Holy Eucharist. Place my thoughts and my senses in Your Custody, so that I may have temperance and prudence when it comes to blogging and following blogs. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Good Saint Joseph, pray for us.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, Oh Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell, satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

And Fr. Z's prayer before connecting to the internet:

Almighty and eternal God,who created us in Thy image and bade us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, especially in the divine person of Thy Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, that, through the intercession of Saint Isidore, Bishop and Doctor, during our journeys through the internet we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.