Hoffman's Hideaway: Safety and Fun

Monday, August 16, 2010

Safety and Fun

Being the parent of two beautiful children, there is always that fear in the back of my mind that someone, somewhere is out there lurking that would do them harm. Mix that with my prior occupation and working with cops for many years and I clearly know more horror stories than most. So this weekend, taking both of the kids to the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Family Shoot, it was really fun to see Shelby take an interest in shooting a gun. Cole has been shooting rifles, pistols, throwing hatchets and knives for awhile now and he is REALLY good. He is extremely accurate at very long distances and I am very proud of how safe and careful he is with a gun. He always takes his time and is very careful around others. This was Shelby's first experience and I really thought the noise might bother her, or the gun powder, but it didn't seem to! She was excited to sit with her daddy and shoot just like her brother. Both kids walked away with prizes, Cole's were mostly 1st and 2nd place awards. I think I will suggest to all of Shelby's first dates that they go to the firing range. That way they at least know she's a good shot before they embark on a real date. I call that dating safety!

No comments:

Post a Comment

A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.