Back Story
I love to listen to little ones talk. It may take them a bit to rev up, but then they’ll share opinions, advice, and observations. Spark their imagination, then sit back and enjoy. Imagine the benefit of specifically creating time and space for them to stop, think and consider.
Quiet Time for Little Thinkers
Children are thinkers. They’re forever fascinating us with the things they think they see or hear. They wrestle with right and wrong and how to handle situations even when they’re very young.
You serve them well by creating quiet time, when they can collect their thoughts, spend time composing questions, and asking you important things. Your responsibility at that time is to give them time to think. Don’t rush them. Open the space between you so they know they have your attention and you are willing to provide your time.
Use your own means of creating quiet time; at bedtime… when you’re in the car…or in a special quiet place that you go with no TV, no smartphone, and no video games. If you don’t have such a place, create it.
And if your children are fortunate enough to have grandparents in their lives, use that connection as a time for thinking and planning. The older generation may be in a better position to provide that quiet space that is so daunting to find in the busy lives of parents and their children.
It’s a golden value. Take advantage. Lessons learned at the knee of grandma or grandpa are not passé. They are as important today as they were when John Boy and his family got together. Make it happen.
P.S. Quiet space can be created anywhere. During bath time, bedtime tuck-in, pizza night. Being aware of the need is the first step. Focus on that and the where and how will present themselves, even with very busy schedules.
Show #495
I remember the day my 3-year-old daughter asked me, on the way to day care. “What’s more important, getting born or dying?” My mouth fell down to my knees. I told her I needed to think about it. Eventually said they are equal because if you’re not born, you can’t die and if you don’t die, you can’t be reborn.