Teaching our kids to slow down
Karen and I were talking back and forth about picking your own fruit yesterday and I got the notion that I needed to remind us adults about one of the most important things to teach our kids. My DH and I are very guilty about not teaching our kids this one important thing and that is to slow down! We let life get us so wrapped up in “stuff” that we forget to show our kids how to play under a pretend tent or pick fruit to enjoy ourselves.
Our generation has memories of our families slowing down long enough to have time for each other. Fess up. How many of you out there have dinner with the entire family at least 3 times a week with no interruptions? See what I mean? A crazy day should be the exception and not the rule. Your kids want to know that you are interested in their day at another time than in the car riding to get somewhere else. I see it every day with the kids at church and I am noticing it happening already with my family. I don’t want to be apart of the rat race any more. But it takes effort, ladies and gents. And you are responsible for teaching that to your kids.
So slow down and enjoy life with them. They are only your kids for a short time and then they become adults who will teach their kids what you taught them. So slow down and realize what you are showing them will be what they show their kids.
Tags: lifeRelated Stories
POSTED IN: family, odds and ends
3 opinions for Teaching our kids to slow down
orange32
Jul 4, 2007 at 11:41 pm
I don’t know what to say, I love to hang out with my kids but my work eats up all my time! I don’t have a househelp and I’m alone with my two kids. If i’m not working in the office, i’m busy doing all the household chores, after reading the article, i felt really guilty because the only time we really are together is during mass, please give me an advice on how to manage my time without sacrifizing my source of income.
Karen
Jul 5, 2007 at 7:45 am
Orange32: I would say to try to do chores and as many activities together as possible. Depending on your children’s ages, you could have them help you with dinner. Kids like to spread the sauce on a pizza or add the pepperoni. They like to stir the spaghetti sauce. Younger children like to bring the clothes hampers to the laundry room, help sort clothes, and put them in the dryer.
Where are you getting your income? Are you working on line?
kellys
Jul 6, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I also think that part of being a mommy is showing your kids that working for them is part of who you are. Take 5 minutes out of your schedule to play. They will think it is an hour. Don’t feel like you are a bad parent for working. I always think that I am guilty of being a horrible mom just because I take my kid to the sitter 2 half days a week to get work done. Then I realized that my daughter has a good time regardless of where she is.
The key is to make sure that when youdo spend time with your kids, they get your undivided attention.
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