I think fun and entertainment can become a source of comfort that we turn to instead of finding it in God.

I think back to Old Testament times and the Hebrews. I wonder if they sought out ‘fun’ as much as we do? Why can’t working together on a project be fun?

I saw a fairly new website today and it is authored by some favourite homeschooler writers of mine. I guess I was a little surprised to see that the site is all about amusing the children within lessons and putting some fun in the lessons. I guess there’s nothing wrong in it per se but over the years I’ve just gotten a bit ‘over the whole lesson thing’.

I’d much prefer to just tackle our English, Maths and Science as a discipline. It doesn’t have to be fun in order to be learned. What will happen if our children hear the message that learning must be fun? What happens to them once they get in the outside working environment…where working is not fun?

Society is so intent upon entertainment and fun that we’re really missing out on the value and benefit of old fashioned, plain, hard work! In fact, hard work makes the fun even more funner! :rotfl:

learning can be fun and often it is fun…but surely that shouldn’t be the goal? Fun lessons? 🙄

BB thanks for your comment. No worries that you think you sounded incoherent…most of my posts are incoherent, but ya’ll keep readin’ 😉

Now, you know me, I like to laugh. But one of my biggest bugbears (well, maybe not my biggest, there are so many to choose from that I get carried away at times…) anyway, the idea that my children must be entertained really bothers me.

Entertainment? In my mind, you can have fun while working. You can make fun to cheer others, but entertainment? I think for me that concept is right up there with what you are trying to express about “fun”. Not that I don’t indulge in entertainment at times. While most of what I read is educational at some level, there are times (especially during stress) when I am after pure mind candy. I equate that with the concept of fun you are speaking of – just a mindless waste of time, really.

I haven’t made much sense in this post, just rambling out my thoughts. Sorry for not putting more thought into making it coherent, but I am a bit brain scrambled today!

As I wrote, I think the reason I struggle with it is that I’m not naturally a fun-seeking person. I could take it or leave it. Fun it fleeting. Fun is temporary. Fun seems to be self serving.

But joy! Contentment! happiness! These are within the heart- they are attitudes. They aren’t reliant upon external (as Marissa said), they are internal.

So then, what or how does this affect what I teach my children? Heaps! I need to teach them that fun has its place…that fun is different from joy. I need to teach them all this as I learn it.

hmm, thanks lovely ladies!

What I reckon is that fun is kinda an inward/exclusive looking action (almost bordering on selfish) can breed selfish attitudes and an inability to want to STOP!! (sometimes)…..

Happiness and joy are inclusive and are expansive and “include” others or God, their desires and needs etc

A dad may not be really having “fun” when taking kids to an adventure playground BUT does actually have fun and is happy coz it is BEING with the kids that is the joyful fun part….

I have been to Fun/Theme/Amusement parks with my kids (just letting you know I am not legalistic about these things) but have found it kinda empty at the end of the day……I had more fun meeting with you Susan when we had coffee or meeting with my gorgeous friend who I have known for 20 years and watch our 9 combined chn play and have a good chat and laugh…….more fulfilling???

In saying that what is FUN about Amusement Parks etc is we do it TOGETHER!!!

Very thought provoking…..thanks Susan (kiss to you)

Oooh oohh can I “steal” or link this to my alethia blog???