Today we caught up with Veronica Starlet on the set of her hit series, Meet My Real Bachelor Big Brother and her hubby Josh Ham, director of this fall's new reality show, Survivor Spouses Trading Makeovers. The Starlet-Hams recently welcomed triplets to their growing family, which includes Ms. Scarlet's 25 year old son by her first husband, 15 year-old twins from her second marriage, and Ham's 13 year-old daughter by wife number four. They seemed like the perfect couple to offer parenting advice, so we asked them how today's busy couples balance careers and family.
"I'm very involved in the children's lives," says Ms. Starlet, and Ham concurs. The children accompany their parents to their sets whenever possible, "except when they're with their other parents, of course." And they do it all without any help, except a full-time nanny, a live-in housekeeper, and the personal chef who prepares all their meals. But other than that they're on their own. Even on their busiest days, Veronica or Josh tries to eat lunch with one of the children, or at least their chef.
On rare days off, Veronica enjoys cooking for her brood, while Ham reads to them from his scripts. "The tenty-five year old complains and says he'd rather spend time with his friend," says Ham, "but it's all part of being a show-biz family." Their biggest secret to successfully raising a family in today's world? "Hire good help!" says Starlet, while Ham nods his agreement.
So it's back-to-school time and everybody is offering advice about raising children. I am somtimes asked (usually by other ministers/parents) how I've managed to raise relatively normal kids in a succession of parsonages while working at a demanding job and moving every few years, so I will now reveal my secret. I have no clue. I read the usual parenting books, especially the ones with cute pictures of babies, but applying their advice was another matter. I missed ballet recitals and basketball games because of church and conference obligations. My daughter still reminds me of the time I forgot to pick her up from Girl Scouts. My son was not thrilled to spend his Jr. High years in a tiny town far from movie theaters, arcades, or any civilized form of entertainment. the both resented leaving friends behind whenever we moved.
One thing I did do right was involve them in Sunday School. Several churches we moved to didnt' have Sunday Schools, so I started them, even if it was just my two kids at first. The Sunday Schools that were already in place varied wildly. At one church, Bethany's 2nd and 3rd grade class was taught by an eleven-year old, while at another, the entire Christian Education Department consisted of experianced teachers from the public school system (it does make a difference, but even an eleven-year old teacher is better than none).
Does Sunday School matter? Indeed it does. Studies show that children who attend Sunday School are less likely to drink or smoke and do better in school. They are more likely to be church members as adults. But the most important reasons to enroll children in Sund School is for them to learn about and build a relationship with God on their own level, and to develop relationships with church people of all ages. Kids today need God and their church connections more than ever to help them make good decisions in a complex world.
Sunday School at Epworth started Spetember 19, 2004 at 9:30 AM. And there are classes for every age including adults. Some families have sports and other activities on Sunday mornings, but all are welcomed to come to Sunday School whenever possible. Our teachers are prepared and ready to welcome you with open arms.
See you in church!
Rev. Jean Marsh