Solo Mother

Simple Pleasures

by christina on October 11th, 2006

My  mother is amazing. I watch her walk through her apartment, casually picking up random things as she drifts by, and WHAM! She’s got a death defying, utterly engrossing toddler toy for the King of Everything. It usually involves a paper tube, a few pennies, a rubber band, and the occasional chopstick, with tons of Grammie sound effects thrown in for good measure. I hadn’t realized it, but some of that MacGuyver-ness must have rubbed off on me.

Fun is always free. Don’t feel you have to pile on the activities to make your kid happy. Keep plenty of time for just… playing. In fact, we are doing our children a big disservice by overscheduling them. If my word isn’t enough, check out this article from the AP: Give Kids More Playtime, Docs Urge.

The other day, walking the Kid home from school, i noticed some pin oak seeds on the ground, and threw a handful up in the air, shouting, “Look, Boo, whirlybirds!” and the boy was entranced. It took us two hours to get home. Every time we passed an oak tree, we had to toss something up in the air. And if you get a young seed pod, and split it at the base, you can stick it to your nose.

Fall leaves are fun, too. One afternoon was spent throwing leaves everywhere: at each other, into the air, out straight to see them scurry flutter pell mell. We pick up stones wherever we go. We notice things, and talk about everything, and don’t have much need for a television.

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POSTED IN: family fun, parenting, ritual