By Guest Blogger, Kelli M.
Married 14 years with 3 kids, ages 8,6 and 4
“Mommy can you play with me?” “Mommy can you get me a snack?” “Mommy can you help me with this…” “Mommy I am bored?” And the list goes on and on and on…
We as Mom’s DO a lot with our children everyday preparing meals, fixing toys, helping get dressed, taking to soccer, baseball, gymnastics, dance, etc. This is all wonderful and necessary in order to be a responsible parent, and part of being a MOM. But how much REAL time do you really share with your children? I know people tell us all the time to spend time with your children, and my answer always was, “Of course I spend time with them! I am with them all day!”
Then one day, I had a breakthrough…One of my children kept asking me to play a game, I didn’t really feel like it but I just said to myself, “OK, one game then I will be done…” But the change for me was during that game I gave my child my complete and undivided attention. I wasn’t thinking about the phone calls I needed to make, or the dirty kitchen, or the laundry, I put it all those thoughts aside for 15 minutes and was totally present in that moment with my child.
Some miraculous things happened… I had a great time watching my child and laughing with him, my mind was able to relax, and my child was so calm and peaceful when we finished the game that he started playing on his own without needing me so much. I was then able to do all of the things I needed to do without interruption! It was definitely a powerful moment for me. I realized that if I would just give them some concentrated time where I was 100% present and devoted to them for that moment then we were all happier and more content.
The best present we can give our children is being present. And the best present for us as parents is this time with our children and the memories we are creating together that we will cherish forever…and it’s free!
2 comments
I totally agree. I have caught myself on many days doing load after load of laundry and dishes all while listening to my son ask me to play. I have finally told myself it’s ok to let the laundry or dishes wait if it’s to spend time with my children. They will definitely remember those moments playing games before remembering if his shirts were folded right away.
I recently had the same experience. One day, I decided to go with the flow, and I played trains with my daughter. I gave her my undivided attention and had so much fun.