Let your children be children
Please. Let your children be children. Don’t shove things down their throat in attempt to make them prodigy children. Don’t overload them with sports and other activities. Let them have time to romp and play. Help them explore their world. Give them time to be bored.
For goodness sakes, let them be bored!
We live in a society that looks at boredom like it’s a disease. Sometimes we need time just to be still. Sit. Still. Quiet.
Give them many opportunities to go outdoors. Travel with them. Take them places, even if it means dragging out your errands and allowing more time.
Let your children be children. Don’t pressure them to learn things at a fast rate so you can have the most intelligent child in your group of friends. Learning shouldn’t be made into a competition.
Let your children be children. Let them play silly games. Spend time pretending with them. Let them follow you around, let them ask you a million and one questions. Allow them to cry. Allow them to laugh. Allow them to talk to you.
Don’t ever tell your children, “Big boys don’t cry.” Big boys do cry. And little boys cry too.
Cuddle them when they are hurt. Everyone, even adults, need a little babying now and then.
Let your children be children. Remember, they will break your favorite dish. They will draw on your favorite book. They will spill a large cup of grape juice on your freshly steamed carpets.
But they are children. And children will make mistakes. YOU will make mistakes. And mistakes are part of learning.
Allow your children to be children. Set boundaries, yes. Correct them with kindness and love. Give them plenty of hugs and kisses. Sing them to sleep. Read loads of their favorite books. Play hide-and-go-seek.
Make time for your children. Make time for your children NOW so they will make time for YOU later.
20080222 11:24 pm
You are my homeschooling hero. Seriously, you encourage me so much and your words are just what I needed right now. Bless you!
Shannon