Since we have decided to home school (more on that later), I think I will get time with each of my children by default when I am teaching them, but what do we do with that time when our kids aren't in school yet or during the summer...and I don't want the only time I spend one-on-one with them to be during "teacher-student" time.
I often will take one of the girls with me when I go to the store and sometimes will stop with them for a treat just to get them by themselves. I notice during this time that they are different. They talk about different things and act differently when they are by themselves. It helps me know who they are as a person and not just as a sister.
So Tuesday night at dinner, Keira had one of her bright ideas (she has many of them and most of them are unrealistic). She said, "I think tomorrow would be a great day for daddy to take me fishing". (which they have never done.)
Tom and I looked at each other. I think we were both ready to deny her request but were both thinking, "why not?"
So, we slowly said something like, "That does sound fun" and discussed the actual option a little later when little ears weren't listening. We decided that he would take both Keira and Libby and since it was going to be a nice day, they would go first thing in the morning.
I don't think either girl is going to be an avid fisherman like their daddy and grandpa but I know that Tom enjoyed the time with them (when they weren't screaming about the worms)...and they enjoyed the time with daddy...though at this point, neither of them has a desire to go fishing again soon! haha.
They were deathly afraid of the worms. Keira was the only one who caught something...it was Libby. Libby didn't seem to notice the hook in her arm but cried incessantly that a worm touched her.
Mommy would have been much happier if I had approved outfits ahead of time...mostly because Keira wore (and completely muddied) her new Stride Rite Sneakers! Ugh!
But I got the privelege of spending time with this little booger. Janessa is a handful right now with her climbing everything, chewing everything, thinking she is older than she is phase. But she is also the most cuddly, sweet, kissable 1 year old on Earth.
We went for a long walk and I pushed her on the swings near our house for a while before heading home to clean the girls room!
All in all, it was a fabulous time to spend with our girls. I highly recommend doing something impromptu with your kids on a regular basis! Make sure you know who they are and what is important to them outside of your home, away from the rest of the family.
It'll be totally worth your time!
I like this post - and I like the idea of including one or two in errands/projects, having them work on a project, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe've made some inroads in this area by taking them on "dates". Just now, every weekend the next child goes and the parents switch off. It takes a couple of months for both parents to have had all children in our house but everyone enjoys it and they keep Very good track of whose turn it is. :)