Play the Day Away

Sometimes you don’t realize you’re making memories…you just think you’re having fun!

When I look back at my childhood, I remember playing with my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I also remember playing outside all day, only breaking to get food and water! 

What do you remember about playing as a child?  What do you want your child to remember? 

Remember to make it fun because kids are impressionable.

When my children were little, I realized that I was doing a lot of yelling. One day I realized that I didn’t want them to look back at their childhood and remember the yelling. 

I decided to speak more and more softly when they misbehaved.  Sometimes I gave them alternative choices to the ones they were making.  Other times I said things like, “If you can behave until I count to three, I will take you for ice cream.”  They never knew what I was going to say, so they listened a little more closely.  It became a game.  They started listening and I didn’t have to yell.  I felt like the best mom in the world!  

I’m not sure if they remember the game we played.  I’m not sure what they really remember from that time in their lives, but I do know that I made it fun and it felt amazing. 

What can you do to make it fun for your children?

It’s okay to play the day away.

“I have this big, giant list of things that need done, honey.  I can’t play with you right now!”  How many times have you said this to your child?  How can you pend time with your child when there’s so much to do?

Schedule one day every week that you put everything away and just play with your children.  Call it your play day or make up something clever. 

It’s okay to choose playing with your children.  Make them feel like a priority.  You are allowed to choose them!

Children learn while they play. 

Children watch, they listen, and they learn.  They use play as a way to process what’s happening in the world around them. 

Look back to your own childhood.  Do you remember cooking, sewing, playing with dolls, playing games  or sports?  Do you remember trying to figure out how to play with your new friend (does she like indoor activities or outdoor activities or is she girly or a tomboy?)  You learned to play with this friend by figuring out what she did and didn’t like to do.  Yep, you were learning! 

My challenge for you is to look at the children in your life and really see them as they play.  Are they aggressive?  Do they see aggression in their life or are they just trying to process what’s happening around them.  Are they happy?  Do you shine happiness for them? 

Children live in the world of imagination.  Enter their world.

Getting on the floor and playing with your children will teach you how they learn.  The way they play grows their imagination and teaches them how to handle different situations.  You will never have a better chance to figure out who your child is than when you play with them on their level.

Playing is the best form of research.

Make every situation a game or do something fun with them. 

Older children open up when you get on their level.  Toddlers scream because they are tired, frustrated, hungry, or bored.  Figure out what’s happening and suggest an alternative solution

 Everything can be figured out once you are on their level.

Having fun with your children creates connection which builds relationships.  Have fun with your children and create a stronger bond.

Do you remember that teacher that made learning fun?  You know the one – they took a whole week to teach you about medieval times; and then you had a fun day where you dressed up in period costumes or played a game from that era.  Why do you think you remember that particular teacher?  Yep, it’s because they were the fun teacher.

You can teach your child anything if you build the right connections with them.  You can be the “fun one” too!

Children will remember the adventures you went on, not the stuff you bought them.  They outgrow stuff, but they never outgrow adventures.

Adventures don’t need to be a treasure hunt in the Caribbean.  You could have adventures around your house or in your own neighborhood. 

Make a scavenger hunt with clues and a treasure at the end.  Go for a walk through the neighborhood and flip a coin to tell you whether to turn left or right.  Do some gardening or an art project.  Anything could be an adventure.  Adventures make memories.