Sometimes the best moments in life are the simple everyday moments, the ones you tend to skip by without noticing. Not because they aren’t remarkable because every single day with children is full of wonder, but because we’re too busy thinking about what to cook for dinner, the list of errands left undone, or the next big idea.
For me, that moment is walking my daughter home from Kindergarten. It would be easier to pick her up in the car and zip off a few quick errands or stop off at the grocery store for the milk we ran out of yesterday, but then I would miss the most important moment of the day: the slow walk home.
Kicking stones in our path, no place in particular to be at any particular time – sometimes quietly watching the seasons change, but more often giggling and stepping on each other’s shadows. What I love about the slow walk home is holding hands with my daughter and hearing the stories.
“Today, we were playing basketball in gym and I threw it up and it missed and it bounced and hit me in the head.”
“Today, we went to the library and we learned how to put the marker in when we get a book.”
“Me and so-and-so played kittens at playtime.”
Zen and the Art of Conversation with Your Kids
#1: Make a Slow Walk Home a Daily Routine – It doesn’t matter if it’s a walk or a mommy and me play date or a trip to the bakery for a cookie – what is important is doing it every day.
#2: No Questions, Just Listening – What makes the slow walk home so special is hearing about their world as they see it. Avoid the temptation to rattle off questions, “What did you learn today?” Save those for dinnertime and let the conversation unfold.
#3: Try to See the World with Child-like Wonder – Put yourself in their shoes and try to see the amazing newness of the world the way they do.
#4: Be Silly – Stop being the parent and be the Champion Shadow Head-Stomper or the Super Tickle-Finger Monster.
#5: No Agenda, No Worries, No Distractions – Don’t book anything after, stop thinking about what comes next and leave your connectivity behind.
Wishing you and your family a happy, joyful wondrous Family Friday!
1 Comment
Carla, that is such a lovely story. A great reminder that it is the simple and free things are kids need from us most.