An amazing post! What a great reminder to all that what our kids really want/need is OUR time!! I love the simplicity of your day wpent with your son! "More" is not always better, just as "complexity" is not always better. As you demonstrated, sometimes the simplicity of our interactions with our kids is all that is needed for quality time together.
Plus, the recipricol that we get from our kids (especially in your example), is a lesson on how creativity can spark a wonderful experience!! Children are full of creative spirit, yet sometimes we fail to encourage them to unleash it. I think many adults can learn so many lessons from children: the first being to not forget our own, creative, child-like playfullness!
Again, great post Joey.
Jeffrey Sass
· 1 year ago
Great thoughts, Joey, and a great reminder that the best things in life are FREE -- especially from a child's point of view. How many times has the BOX been more fun than the TOY, or a rock, stick or sea shell a better prize than anything you could buy in a store. Thanks for sharing!
Kim/hormone-colored days
· 1 year ago
The box thing is so true. My boys had a blast building a fort from a large boxi n our living room two weeks ago. I'm a mess-tolerant mother, so it's still standing. One of my boys added a library and closet into the hut and even sleeps in there some nights.
I love taking my kids to a nearby forest preserve. They always whine when I tell them we are headed there, but then have a blast doing just what yours did- hiking around and throwing things in the water. They are electonric game/screen addicts, so always get a secret thrill (or is it relief) when I see them having low-tech fun.
Derry O Donnell
· 1 year ago
Very well said. We are lucky enough to live in the countryside so our kids (4 and 2) spend most of the time playing outside. My wife also minds other children at home during the week. They are never happier than when outside digging in the sand or filling a bucket with stones. I still laugh when I see the parents arriving with the kids, their bags and their wellington boots and rain gear. They have absolutely no interest in watching tv, which, at times is not neccessarily a good thing, as it could provide a bit of quiet time for us. Although, now that I think about it, they do enjoy having a go on the computer, babytype for the younger ones and puzzles etc on Nickelodeon for the older ones. I think they just prefer to be involved in whats going on rather than just observing. You are absolutely right about them just wanting to spend time with us. Playing hide and seek, chasing around after each other and lifting them up in the air all provide great fun for young kids and it's good for you too. Just think about all the extra activity you can do with them, you could save on gym fees by working out with your kids instead.
All Comments
An amazing post! What a great reminder to all that what our kids really want/need is OUR time!! I love the simplicity of your day wpent with your son! "More" is not always better, just as "complexity" is not always better. As you demonstrated, sometimes the simplicity of our interactions with our kids is all that is needed for quality time together.
Plus, the recipricol that we get from our kids (especially in your example), is a lesson on how creativity can spark a wonderful experience!! Children are full of creative spirit, yet sometimes we fail to encourage them to unleash it. I think many adults can learn so many lessons from children: the first being to not forget our own, creative, child-like playfullness!
Again, great post Joey.
I love taking my kids to a nearby forest preserve. They always whine when I tell them we are headed there, but then have a blast doing just what yours did- hiking around and throwing things in the water. They are electonric game/screen addicts, so always get a secret thrill (or is it relief) when I see them having low-tech fun.