During one rough season of my childhood, my mom was married to a man who did not like table conversation during meals. This was difficult for me for two reasons: (1) Prior to him our family gatherings had always involved laughter and talk of daily life and (2) I was a "chatty-patty." While living in Scotland, my step-father worked a 30-days-on/off schedule in the North Sea as First Mate on a tugboat taking men and supplies back and forth from the oil rigs. It was while he was away, Momma, my little brother and I would have fun meal-time exchanges, once again. After we returned stateside and the marriage dissolved, laughter and conversation were welcomed back to the family dinner table!
It is my opinion food does not digest well, when you are nervous, sad or feel intimidated. Your appetite is better when life is happy and relaxed. It is for this very reason, our family started "High-Low" at dinner time when Dane was in elementary school.
High-Low is when each member of the family shares a high experience and a low experience for that day. The rules are simple: Everyone participates, poop-talk is not banned (unless someone has a weak stomach) and family members are not to interrupt -- except for laughter. It's a way for family members to engage.
During our summers as Tennessee Youth/Student Directors at Camp Jackson, our staff, known as the Crunk Crew, would participate in High-Low after "Devo" (devotion) usually after the campers had gone to bed and the facility prepared for the next day. Twelve staffers would pile into our bedroom located in the lower level directly under the wooden dining hall floor. Sometimes, they found it easy to come up with a low, but many times they would substitute it with two highs! If I would forget to do High-Low, they would remind me or wait until after the Thursday evening S'mores Bonfire when the campers were in the cabins. It was always a favorite and intimate time for each of us.
Create memories. Start a tradition. All ages can participate. It can happen around a table, at bedtime devo, in a car, or anywhere the "family" gathers to get conversation going!
~"Sam"
High-Low is when each member of the family shares a high experience and a low experience for that day. The rules are simple: Everyone participates, poop-talk is not banned (unless someone has a weak stomach) and family members are not to interrupt -- except for laughter. It's a way for family members to engage.
During our summers as Tennessee Youth/Student Directors at Camp Jackson, our staff, known as the Crunk Crew, would participate in High-Low after "Devo" (devotion) usually after the campers had gone to bed and the facility prepared for the next day. Twelve staffers would pile into our bedroom located in the lower level directly under the wooden dining hall floor. Sometimes, they found it easy to come up with a low, but many times they would substitute it with two highs! If I would forget to do High-Low, they would remind me or wait until after the Thursday evening S'mores Bonfire when the campers were in the cabins. It was always a favorite and intimate time for each of us.
Create memories. Start a tradition. All ages can participate. It can happen around a table, at bedtime devo, in a car, or anywhere the "family" gathers to get conversation going!
~"Sam"
I really loved reading this today in light of the other dark reading I am having to do for my class on juvenile delinquency. If every family adopted this, juvenile delinquency statistics would probably DECREASE in the United States.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gio! I'm praying you're a light on that campus.
Deletethis only reinforces that I think you're really Smart!!! <3 Becky K.
ReplyDeleteBecky! That's funny! Love ya!
DeleteHigh-Lows were always a favorite...especially when some of us crammed about 15 highs and lows into one. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember...at 2:30am when the Crunker bros & sis were falling asleep!
Deletegreat blog Sam, thank you for inviting me. You are now on my daily reading list. God bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelly! Hope you are doing well!
DeleteI want you to know how timely your blogs are every week. Just what I need, right on time. It is amazing how God works! Thank you for allowing God to use you. Love you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Allison. I love you and your family!
DeleteWe recently started doing "Best & Worst" in our house. It has become my kids favorite time of the evening. We switch it up...sometimes we do it at dinner, at bed time or on the way home from church on a late night. I have thought about recording some of them so I can see how they change over the years!
ReplyDeleteG-- That's a great idea! Memories! Blackmail for when they're older! HA!
ReplyDelete