What a lovely day!

God is on His throne, the sun is shining, daffodils are blooming and the promise of spring has arrived.

 

It's one of those day you just want to get outdoors and do something -- like dig in the flower beds or take a walk or just let the sun shine on the top of your head and warm you all the way down to your toes.  After a bone-chilling winter, it's a great season to celebrate the goodness of God and watch the earth awaken from her winter rest.

Once upon a time (so many years ago), I would gather the kiddos and head outdoors for a bit of spring-time adventure.  Sometimes we poked new flower seeds in the ground.  Other times we hiked around the loop (Woods Point Drive in Catlettsburg, KY) or rode our bikes down the hill out front. It was more like a slope, but to our little ones, it probably seemed like a mountain.

If we aren't careful, our children can easily become jaded by being entertained...

 

... and when that happens, we parents will have a harder time finding something bigger, better or with more "bling" to catch their eye and keep their interest. We cheat our children if we don't unplug them from TVs, DVDs and iPads long enough to do that.  There is so much to see and do that isn't connected to an outlet or run by batteries -- and our children need to be comfortable with that.

As the weather warms, why not pitch a tent and camp out in the back yard?  This is not a slumber party for friends or cousins, this is time for you as a family to reconnect and have fun.  Take turns finding constellations and try to name them.  Point out the brightest stars.  Imagine walking on the moon.  Do a little scheming about your next family vacation.  Tell silly jokes.  Catch fireflies and roast wieners over a fire pit.

Listen to night sounds.  But most of all, listen to your children.

 

There's just something about being under a big sky at night that makes it a safe place to open up.  If your children hint at their hopes and dreams ... and if those dreams don't line up with your dreams for them ... just listen for now.  They may also share some fears and concerns, and not expect an answer, but the need to know you are there for them and care.  Keep it low key - don't overdo the comforting part and have all the answers.  Just listen.  It takes time away from routines and constant busy-ness to share heart-to-heart, and any time that happens, it's a time to treasure.

Other together times may involve day trips to fun museums and/or special events.  Check with your chamber of commerce to find out about events like musical or theater productions nearby.  Butterfly museums, aviaries and birdwatching all can attract children who are "unplugged."  When you focus on something outside your child's normal activities and interests, you give them a bigger view of the world.

Another idea:  make something together - like one of the fancy bird baths pictured below!  Not only will you have a lot of fun, you can enjoy watching the birds flock to it this summer.  Turn an old lamp stand into a cool bird bath by adding a ceiling light fixture or some type of large bowl you might not use anymore.  Sharing time is even better when you have something tangible to show for it.  Be sure to let your child share ideas for the project, too.  It doesn't have to turn out *perfect,* it just has to be a memorable time spent with a precious little person you happen to love!

 What a lovely day!  God is still on His throne and there's a big world out there waiting for you and your children to discover.  Together. 

 

 

Photo credit: Pinterest

He wanted the "whole full" of it ...

I remember the day my three-year-old watched me cut a sandwich before placing half of it on his plate. He looked up at me with those big brown eyes and said, "But I wanted the whole full of it, Momma."

As parents, we are sometimes guilty of giving our children "half a serving" of our time and attention when they actually need the whole full of it. While packing lunches or washing dishes, we listen to them chatter with our backs turned to them. And in doing so, we miss the sparkle in their eyes as they share a new discovery...or the sadness as they realize we're too busy to really listen with the heart.

Okay, maybe we can't turn to face them and neglect dinner on the stove. But a glance in their direction and some eye contact is certainly called for now and then. Without it, we are little more than robotic parents going about our duties with a mechanical nod, expressionless eyes and metallic voices. At least once in the next 24 hours, give your child the attention they desperately need. It means you're really listening and you care.

When parents choose to give their children active attention for even 5 minutes, they've done a great thing. It means the eyes, voice and heart are all connected. And when the parent's heart is connected to the child's heart, good things are bound to happen.

Whether your child is four of fourteen, you'll come away from that moment knowing you gave your honest effort - the whole full of it - to being a great parent in that one brief span of time. The rewards, however, linger much longer.

As we practice this behavior again and again, our children will actually demand less - not more - of our time and attention. The reason? They feel secure, appreciated, valued and loved. And we feel less guilt at brushing them off too easily.

Good parenting isn't a half-hearted effort. It's a "whole-full-of-it" effort with tremendous rewards. Enjoy the journey!