Intentional Parenting

Let’s talk about being intentional in our parenting. Although many great things do happen spontaneously, I believe that even greater things can happen when we are joyfully being intentional.   

What are you doing to intentionally spend time with your kiddos?  I’ll go first.

 

Well for starters, we are recognizing “screen free week” in our house.  Notice I say recognizing, not fully celebrating.  I’d like to say I’m 100% on board, but to be honest, I’m missing out on too much!  No joke, two days off of Facebook and I feel like I don’t have a clue what is going on in real life conversations because everyone is talking about what they read on Facebook… & I have obligations to fulfill through FB and e-mail.  So I check my FB about once or twice a day strictly for messages or about something someone mentioned needed my attention.  That's not anywhere near as often as I was getting online.  It's been a good cleanse and I hope to continue in this new pattern. 

This week to be intentional I’m busting out the craft supplies!  We painted {in our carpeted dining room} twice this week!  I put my phone aside, ignored any beeps for new text messages until we were done, and just focused on my kids.  It was so much fun!  Like more fun than getting out of the house kid free.  I’m not joking here.  I really adored the time with my littles.  We laughed, we talked, we created.  We looked back at what we made and talked some more about our time together.  Oh it’s been so fun! 

My kids are 11, 6 and 1.  Normally this would be tough to do with a little toddler. I got lucky, two days in a row!  The 1 year old happily sat in her stroller in the house, looking out the sliding door and occasionally chiming in to our conversation with a “puh-puh”, “ba” or any other words she thought fit right in with what we were saying.  She doesn’t sit as well in her highchair, so that’s why I used the stroller.  When we were finished painting the stroller got put away and I read stories from their Children’s Bible.  They climbed all over me and begged me for more.. and although I had really had enough and wanted 5 seconds to myself, I kept reading! 

We also got outside each day.  Even if only for a short time, we were out there, and we were together.  It’s pure joy, raising these little people.  I just can’t quite explain it, but I am as happy as can be to be their momma.