Last summer, I was reading Mitten Strings for God and recording my thoughts here on the blog, chapter by chapter. Somehow I misplaced the book and that series fell to the wayside. Funny what a little spring cleaning will do…I found the book again and decided to start back up! You can find my previous entries here.
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“Mothers can get so caught up in the caretaking that we may overlook each child’s need to be seen as an individual, with unique tastes and temperaments and gifts. But mothering is not just a simple matter of meeting our children’s physical needs. We must also strive to meet them at a deeper level, recognizing in each one a special character and fate. It is up to us, as mothers, to see these soul qualities and to honor and protect them. Alone with our children, one on one, we have a chance to see and hear and accept them as they really are, right now, in this moment. We see them not in relation to their siblings, friends, or peers, or as a piece of the large family puzzle – but as unique individuals, each with a particular destiny to fulfill on this earth. Such recognition is a basic human need.” – page 81-82
Food for thought, right? I definitely am guilty of seeing my children as a collective sometimes: get the boys lunch, put on a movie for the boys, time for the boys’ baths, etc. But with a new baby coming, this chapter couldn’t come at a more perfect time. More children equals a stretched Mamma. And while I can’t promise that I’ll have it all together (in fact I can guarantee it’ll be quite the opposite!), I do want to start brainstorming ideas to give M, D and J each a little quality time.
A few ideas so far:
- Leave the baby with Daddy and take J grocery shopping with a special stop at the bakery.
- Declare to the house that it is “M and Mamma” hour and shut the door. Practice reading (him to me or me with a read-aloud).
- Take D outside to play soccer in the yard, one on one complete with smack talk (his favorite!).
- Surprise M and D with a trip to the movie theater.
- Find an easy recipe and let J help.
What do you do in your home for one-on-one time with the kiddos?
I have 3 kids and I know there are times I over look their individual needs and when I do I've noticed the older two start acting out in an effort to get attention. So, I try to make time for each of them throughout the day, cuddling/reading/pretending with the two younger ones and doing an activity with the oldest (of his choice) during nap time.
I think your ideas are wonderful and I might try some of those myself!