Around the Dining Hall Table

My sisters used to play a game about choosing 10 people living or dead to invite to sit with you at a college dining hall table (some odd Centre activity), but none the less interesting.  Lately, I keep thinking how much I would like to really sit down with an assortment of  "experts".  After all, they are talking in my head at all hours of the day and night.  They all seem to be pushing their respective opinions on to me and I am left to agree or refute each ever louder voice.  So many of them seem to contradict, or at the least, not quite seem possible, that I would love for them to fight it out in front of me instead of using my blood pressure as the mediator.  This is not the time to tell me only crazy people here voices.  I haven't gone off the cliff yet, although a common statement in our house is "_____________ (fill in child of the day here), you are making me crazy!"  Followed by Brian, "And she doesn't have far to go!"  But I digress.

I can see Alice Gray, author of The Worn Out Woman, explaining the need for quiet,personal space.  After all, even Jesus had to push away from the crowds and go up into the hills or onto the sea for some time of respite.  This could be followed by Emilie Barnes of More Hours in my Day explaining that I didn't after all need sleep,but to accept my high calling as a mother and get up at 3 or 4am for a time of contemplation and study.  Maybe we could choose Les and Leslie Parrot, whom seem to contradict themselves when explaining that couples become closer by experiencing new things and activities together, but kids need tradition and stability.  I guess this means I should do more with just Brian,but that ignores the assorted studies and more "experts" warning against daycare, and unoccupied hours.  Studies show that 4-Hers, boy scouts and female athletes are less likely to use drugs or have premature sex, but those same activities make dinner at the table difficult and dinner at the table reduces depression and improves grades.  Playing sports reduces obesity, but The Hurried Child is over committed and stressed before age 5.  The Triple Bind points out that girls are now expected to be smart, athletic and effortlessly beautiful and polite.  Read to them, send them outside, don't make them stand out like geeks, but don't let them feel entitled.  Encourage and support,but don't over inflate ego or make them think "we all get a prize." 

Just about the time that fight is getting hot, lets bring in Gary Smalley to discuss how often you should date your spouse- once a week!!!, and a longer weekend every quarter to six months.  But before he takes center stage, make sure we get Dave Ramsey seated to clarify how much all these different things will cost and keep us on budget.  Once he gets it all budgeted, bring in David Platt and Francis Chan to challenge the whole group to be Radical and Crazy and find the money to spend equally on missions and time on community service etc.  Let Po Bronson have a few minutes to point out the value of sleep from his work Nurture Shock before David Platt sends us all to all night "Secret Church" and then let the father and son Raniers discuss how we really didn't need the program, but Simple Church and a Simple Life.