One on One Time
- At November 03, 2015
- By CGMontessori
- In CGM BLOG
- 0
Our days are hectic. Running one kid here, picking up another kid over there, dinner, work, and basketball….AHH!! Maybe that is just MY life right now =) But we are all our own busy. Kids need to stay active, and that means we are too. I’ll miss it one day, I know.
One thing I try to do, is have some time with my children, individually. Weather it’s in the car on the WAY to practice, or hanging at home together while the other two are off together. These are the times I hear about their friends, what happened at school, and what they want to be when they grow up. I have to ASK them these questions, and usually YANK the headphones out their ears, but we have a good time, and I show I am interested in what they do, who they are, and what they want to be.
This is JUST as important at any age. Children need to feel loved, and safe. The BEST way to convey this is to give them your T-I-M-E, something we feel we never have enough of. Just their favorite dinner out, or watching their favorite show with them, going to the movies, playing a game, or just sitting and talking to them.
Setting aside a CERTAIN time every month may help you with your schedule in doing this. I read one example, your child receives one on one time with a parent every birth DAY of the month. If they are born on the 27th, every month, on the 27th was THEIR day. They pick dinner, they get an extra special story at bedtime, and they get special time with either mom or dad that evening. Too crazy of a schedule to do that? Only time you have available is 2 am? Write them a note. Place it in their lunch box or at the breakfast table. Who doesn’t love notes that just say “I love you and I am thinking about you.”
We want to help you with this here at Center Grove Montessori. Every year, just once a year, we have Daddy’s night out, and Mommy’s night out. Take an hour, come sit in the classroom, and let your child show you his or her world here with us every single day. Take an interest in their favorite job, meet their “best friend” of the week, and watch them in their own environment, their own world, and watch them bloom. Sit and listen and observe on how they move about the room, getting jobs out, putting them away and working on their own. Enjoy your time with them, one on one. May be even head to dinner beforehand and talk about what they might show you and do.
Live and be in their world, if just for an hour, and you will never regret it or forget it. It is fascinating to watch them, at this age. Before you know it, YOU will be yanking the headphones out of THEIR ears and begging for their attention. Wanting an invitation into their world. Take advantage now, while they still want to let you in.