When I was pregnant the first time I read every book I could find about pregnancy, birth, parenting, etc… To the point that one time I mentioned something I’d read to a co-worker/mother of three boys then asked: ‘What do you think?’ And she replied: ‘I think you read too much’. We laughed and I went on with my life. That was 8+ years ago…
The other day I was in line at the store and my kids were jumping around like…well, like them. I suggested playing shape searchers, or color searchers, or that game where we all take turns telling a part of the story. And, they kept jumping around as if they couldn’t hear me…
That is when it occured to me. All of the books, magazines, and shows I’ve watched have had all of these wonderful ideas: going to a restaurant? bring a stash of crayons & paper, standing in line? play a game, waiting in an office? don’t forget the magnet board! And I used those ideas. So now my kids are 8, 6, & 4 and they don’t know how to just BE!
I am going to take responsibility, of course, but I am also going to send that old co-worker an email to let her know she was right. Then, I’m going to teach my kids that you can be still for five minutes without permanent damage. (Wish my luck on that one.) And, I think, I may start reading more craft magazines and fewer parenting ones…