I know that there is a lot of pain and suffering reweald at this moment, It might make it hard to focus on being present with your kid even yourself. But sometimes we have to let our pain and suffering rest and connect with something that gives peace and clarity. Let this moment doing this activity be a moment of peace.
This is an activity in two parts:
For kids that don't put things in the mouth around age 3 - 100
- Outpart, time, whole day or less...depending where you have to go to reach nature
- In part, time, 30 minutes
Outpart
For this activity you need to go to a place where there are things to pick, like flowers, leaves. It can be a field nearby, a beach or a.... really overgrown garden like mine!
Needed
- Container for the flowers
Instruction for the kid
Tell him to pick whatever he likes, and tell him; “when we come home we are going to make a picture”. You choose for how long you enjoy the outdoors.
Instruction for you
Do not checkup on emails or texts (I know it is super tempting!)
Take a deep breath and notice the air on your skin, the air that comes in your body. Notice if you are tense of relaxed. Start noticing how your kid is looking and searching for things to pick. Is he be intentional, just picking the things he want to put in his picture or does it seem more randomly? Try not to instruct what to pick or not (unless it is a piousness plant!) Just be there and notice, try even to stop yourself from teaching anything, names, colors, and let your kid just enjoy the isness of the plants he`s picking.
Inpart
Now after a rest...maybe dinner or lunch it`s time to make a flowerpicture.
Needed
- White paper
- Tape
- The picked plants
Instruction for the kid
Tell your kid to tape the different plants on the white paper.
Tip: prepare the tape before, so the creativity can flow more easily with out every 10 seconds...Mom can you cut more tape for me!
Instruction for you
Set a timer for 30 minutes
Take a deep breath notice the space you´re in maybe you´re sitting at your kitchen island or living room floor, how does it feel hot or cold, peaceful or stressful. Whatever you are feeling is ok.
Now notice how your kid is engaged with the task, notice how he is choosing his plants, how he puts flowers and leaves in a pattern. He might be frustrated with the tape, so you can show him, and when he manages to do it himself, he looks up at you with a big smile and says; “Yeah, I did it!”
Motivation tip: Just be there, and if you like..join in making your own picture.
When the 30 minutes are up notice how you feel, notice the face of your kid, did you have another type of conversation while you spent this time together? Did you feel more connected?
IF you think, oh, everyone is present with their kids all the time, why cant I…Know this while I was doing this activity with my daughter I found myself thinking of other things than being there with her…so Do not think that, It is totally normal that your thinking drags you away from the moment.
I hope you had a good time with your kid and felt more connected
Until next time, be kind to yourself and feel your breath a little.
Love and Light, Kristin