Before I write a post I usually take time to cogitate it over, and this one has been weighing on my heart to share. Let's just face it, life is crazy. It's busy. I believe we all can fill our day with stuff! From school, house chores, hobbies, sports, games, family, friends, events, field trips, co-ops, shopping, church, church events, ... the list goes on. Now, some of those things are very good. Some are obviously necessary. Somewhere to the very top of the list, should be spending valuable time with your kids.
I know, duh. The key word is VALUABLE time. And that is the challenge. An added challenge is when you have more than one child. Some times I do things that I think the kids are just going to love, guess what .. it doesn't always work out. Just for an example I made a project where we were going to make paper mache globes. Thought they would love getting their hands dirty and building something, turns out not so much. Also each child can have different wants and desires. That might mean diving into an hour long project with one child, or as simple as cuddling with another. I'll give you some of the things I do with my kids that seem valuable to them, and how that is different for each one.
First child (9 now) - he loves science, art, music, sports, board games and video games. I also know he is a very loving and caring kid with at times a sensitive heart. He needs verbal affirmation. When he talks about wanting to make something I have to take careful notes, at times that means helping him see it through and encouraging him along the way. When he is really passionate about something, trying to equip him with materials he needs to explore that desire. Gently pushing him forward when he stumbles on something he sees as a challenge. I have found the most powerful thing I can do is to tell him I love him, no matter what. Imperfections and all, encourage him to do his best and sometimes that won't be perfect.
Daredevil (days away from turning 6) - creative, mechanical, loves sports, playing with others, not sure he knows the line of fear from fun. He works well with others and needs physical touch that shows he is loved. This kid is not picky about what we do as long as we do it together. It could be watching a movie, sitting beside each other. Or building legos together. He also is the one that doesn't like restrictions on his creativeness. Give this kid some water paints and paper and let him blow you away with his imagination. Which also means not freaking out when he wants to turn my leaving room into a fort. Taking every couch seat and blanket. To be so independent, he surprisingly is the one kid that a tries to sleep with us. I am convinced that he wants that cuddle time to feel loved. Although we do try to discourage that from occurring regularly. A simple hug seems to convey love best to this one.
Love Bug (3 years old, but will be 4 in May) - silly, playful, sensitive, theatrical. Loves to help others and desires physical touch. These middle two kids are pretty similar. Except one is mechanical and one is more sensitive. So he also enjoys just doing things together. Lots of cuddles and hugs. I do have to be more cautious of his feelings. He wants to be included, and sometimes the best thing is for me to just hear him out and give a good hug. If I go somewhere he wants to go too, if I am working on something he wants to do it too. I guess you can say this one fits the title of 'momma's boy'. Although I can't always take him or always include him, I do as much as I can because that is what this boy truly desires.
Crazy (in a month he will be 2) - playful, tough, independent, mechanical, loves cars and blocks. He likes to help momma with chores, and play with big brothers. He is still growing and his own personality is still coming out. As of now he is almost a mixture of the older three. He likes to be included in everything we do, even if it may be difficult for his age to do the same thing. He also desires a physical show of love. That means lots of hugs, and playing together.
No matter what chaos the day brings, I have to ask myself did I give my children at least one little moment of valuable time. Did I show or say I love them? Not saying every day I think I did well, but it is definitely a goal. Time is short and our kids grow up fast.
Ecclesiastes (NKJV) 9:12 'For man also does not know his time; like a fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.'
