Spending More Time With Your Children

Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 11:01

I have to admit, I've collapsed into bed at the end of many busy days with a guilt complex.  I didn't even stop and take the time to play with the girls today.  How long HAS it been since Amy, Emily and I had a tea party??  Or played dress up?  Or played on the swing outside all afternoon?  

Our daughters are usually sweet and pleasant little girls... on fussy days, I've realized (after the lights are out) that maybe Emily's whining or Amy's sour attitude had something to do with needing some more mommy time.  Don't get me wrong; I include our girls in most everything I do, from cooking meals to cleaning house and pulling weeds in the flower bed.  They are always right beside me.  But there is just something extra special about Mama taking time to get down on the floor and color, or play dollies, or set up the Little People farm. 

I decided no more guilty mama.  Last week, I started a new little tradition.  After our noon meal has been eaten and the kitchen is put back to rights, Amy, Emily and I trek into their pink bedroom and sit on the floor (sometimes on a quilt, that's extra fun!)  for Song and Story Time.  The girls pick out several of their favorite books, and we sing and read for a while- just the girls and I.  This doesn't replace Bible reading time that Daddy has with the family in the evenings... it's just a little extra in our day to show my girls how much I really love them.  The results have been such fun... I get extra time to help Amy with her letters, show Emily pictures and colors, and it's actually been a stress relief for me in the midst of a busy day!   

If I slip up and somehow forget a day, Amy promptly reminds me, "Mama, we haven't had song and story time!  We have to read books!" 

It's been such a joy... why didn't I think of this sooner?

~Kristy~

www.homemakerscottage.com

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Posted by quiverfullacres on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 11:45 - Link

Excellent reminder! Thank you so much!

Good job

Posted by Chas on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 12:21 - Link

Good job Mama!! Your girls will treasure this! :)

My Cup Runneth Over...
Chas

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Posted by CandyFoote on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 5:48 - Link

Great idea!

Candy

Thank you

Posted by jennikl9 on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 9:40 - Link

I truely appreciated this reminder. I have been saying this for awhile. Everything always seems to get in the way and I make time for those things but not my little girls.

God bless you and thank you again.

Jenni

How sweet!

Posted by Anna S on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 11:56 - Link

What a wonderful idea it is to set apart this special time with your girls! I wish I had that with my mother when I was growing up!

Anna S ('Domestic Felicity')