Do Not Sit on the Sideline of Your Child’s Life
Author: Terri O’Neale
When I attend play-n-stay or mummy-and-me or visit the local park, I am horrified at the number parents that are sitting on the benches reading or chatting to one another. But they are missing a vital opportunity to be a part of their child’s life and play. I want to share with you some of the joys that my daughter and I enjoyed this week.
Today, we played Hide-n-Seek; modified for a three year old, of course.
We laughed and giggled as she ‘found’ my obvious hiding places such as the bag-for-life over my head. And I ignored her still visible form from inside her play tent; calling, three person tent, her name as if I could not see her. She giggled and I laughed. But there were lessons too such as, three person tent, counting to ten. It was a very fun way of instilling that knowledge.
There were other moments too such as being told I was too big for the slide or her tent.
But the best dividend of our play time came when I was talking with her key worker at nursery this week. She committed that my daughter’s use, three person tent, of her imagination was impressive. Mind you, this followed encounters where my daughter played mother and her worker/teacher was her baby. But as a writer and creative person, I considered this a high-compliment.
I realize that in our busy world there can be a seemingly endless to-do-list. It can be challenging to make the time for playing with our children. But the joys of doing so are priceless…and even adults need to just cut loose and play every now and again.
Terri is the mother of six; 3 cesareans, 2 VBACs and an adoption. She has over fifteen years breastfeeding experience as well as peer supporter training with two organizations. Terri has completed the Childbirth Educator, Birth & Post-partum Doula certificates with Childbirth International. In addition, she also holds a BS in health education from Texas A&M University. To sign-up for her monthly e-newsletter featuring her latest articles on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting; visit her website: Special Start Birth.
Source: ezinearticles.com