You've heard the arguments. To pay or not to pay-- that is the question! Have you ever struggled with the issue of whether to pay your children for chores around the house or simply to expect that of them as a part of a functioning household? If you have, you're not alone in your struggle. Many parents face this very issue, and for each family it is a matter personal preference.

I would truly say that there is no right or wrong on this issue--it all depends on the point of view from which you stem. Some parents give an allowance for nothing at all just to let their children have the responsibility of managing their own funds and to have the freedom of spending their money thow they choose. While others choose to pay only for chores performed around the house. The other camp pitches their tent in the notion that if we pay children for that which they should already be doing, we are sending a poor message and will then cause them to expect payment for everything they do.

Okay, so here's the deal--you are always so great about listening to me babble on about what I think--how about letting me know what you think this month?! Take the poll below and share your views on allowances. Results of the poll can be found on my site throughout the month.

I don?t know about you, but there are days when I say to myself, ?I don?t have time for joy! There?s just too much to do!? I actually overheard these voices within my own mind! It struck me at that moment that I needed help. How could I have allowed myself to get to the point in which my inner- thoughts would actually exclaim that no longer did I have time for joy?! It?s hard to believe I was once a carefree child who danced and pranced about the dandelions. Nothing frazzled that little child! Then-- she grew up.

I wonder whatever happened to that little girl? Seems to me she?s been replaced by a servant robot in a tunnel-vision chore-trance--wash the dishes, do the laundry, cook the lunch, give the baths--and back again! I remember when I was once like those children I see running and giggling throughout my home. I recall the days when I was free to build tree forts or catch chipmunks if I happened to have an inkling. That wide-eyed little girl who once looked up at busy grown-ups and internally proclaimed she would never be that serious--well, she?s now become that serious! That ol? whimsical spirit? Well that was four kids, twenty pounds and eleven years ago! The girl I used to be was fun. She had no time for work--she was much too busy being distracted by joy!

I busy myself with the dishes, watch my children frolic, and observe their carefree spirits at play each day. As I trek up the stairs with my laundry basket, I remind them that they need to play more quietly-- they are obviously having too much fun.

I catch myself half-listening to their questions and remarks as I focus in on wiping the scum from the wastebasket bottom--as if this were more important than my beautiful blessing of a child. When one of them strays off the beaten path during home school instruction time and begins to ask questions about unrelated (but certainly relevant) topics-I quickly steer him right back into my agenda! How dare he allow his mind to wander into subjects he finds interesting! Can?t he see that photosynthesis is an absolutely glorious thing?!

There are many joy-stealers in my life as a mother; fatigue, constant chaos, sibling rivalry, overwhelming household duties, juggling outside obligations, self-centeredness, moodiness, etc. Believe me, I'm very adept at finding one-thousand- and-two reasons to be grouchy. There are always opportunities for offense and dissatisfaction. But, the Lord instructs us to live a life by the Spirit, and not by our flesh (emotions, will and mind).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
~ Galatians 5:22-26

We recently attended a birthday party in which these tasty little morsels were served. They were a hit with my kids & husband alike. It's a great birthday party or gathering idea as well as a fun idea for dinner!



You will need:

Small lunch-sized bags of Doritos (one for each person being fed)

Ground beef (as many pounds as needed but one pound will do for one family)

Taco seasoning packet

Shredded lettuce

Diced tomatoes

Chopped onions

Shredded cheddar cheese

Sliced black olives (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

Salsa

Cook ground beef and flavor with taco seasoning as directed on packet. Arrange vegetables and condiments in a buffet-style setup. Allow each person to open their bag of chips and pour whatever topping they would prefer to create their own portable taco salad. Serve with plastic fork! No plates to clean...just eat it right out of the bag!

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