This quote from Silken Laumann spoke to me. She is a former Canadian Olympic rower and now is an author and motivational speaker. You have to go to her website and check out her arms. I gotta take up rowing!
Trying to attach an absolute value to something as abstract as the idea of play is difficult. Why does being chased in fun thrill us? Why will we sleep under the stars on the cold, damp ground just for the slight chance of seeing a shooting star? Why does our entire body relax when we lie on a freshly cut lawn on a hot summer afternoon?
It is because these small moments and simple action and easy games fill our souls. They delight our senses and sustain us. What is happening to us in those moments is life. We are experiencing life through all our senses, through the momentary connection of our minds, our bodies and our souls. Children know intuitively how to fill their souls. When given the freedom, they live in their bodies and in the natural environment in an integrated way- exploring the backyard ravine, observing water spiders in puddles, changing their make-believe games with the seasons.
Silken Laumann, from Child's Play: Rediscovering the Joy of Play in Our Families and Communities
I will hold myself back from ranting, but have a couple of points.
Firstly, I thought of myself and many of us adults who sometimes get too busy to play- with our kids and just doing things for ourselves that fill our spirit. It is convenient to send my older ones out with the younger ones sometimes so I can get started on my list of chores. I am trying to stop more often to join them.
We as moms sometimes can be martyers and dedicate ourselves solely to the well being of our husbands and kids. God made us with talents and gifts. He made us social people. We need to stop and participate in the things that bring us joy. I like to walk around my yard in the mornings to see what new flowers are blooming and to see how highs the beans are that day. I like to have a bath with a good book and a cup of tea. I like to go and play a rousing game of soccer. All simple things, which bring refreshment to my body, mind, and spirit. ( in case you think I am a serene, peaceful, meditative individual who follows her own advice, think again-BUT God is working on me- I am in process!)
Here is a slightly more ranty second point: How have we messed up our culture so much that people have to write books on how to get children to play??? Children have naturally "played" forever and somehow in a matter of a few decades or less, is seems to be a major shift. I think several things are to blame- tv, video games, computer, but I would say that the breakdown in the family structure is the major one. Between both parents working, school, music lessons, dance lessons, this lesson, that lesson, who has time to be at home, to just BE? My kids sometimes act like I am The Wicked Witch of the West when I send them outside to play (rain, snow, sleet, or sun!) Sometimes the door opens every 2 minutes and I hear "MOM, I'M HUNGRY or MOM, SO AND SO HIT ME!, OR MOM, CAN WE COME IN YET?" But those times when I go out and find them bug hunting, building salamander homes, creating fairy houses under a tree stump, or juggling the soccer ball reassures me that they are ok, and will be forcing their own children outside sometimes too when they are parents. So today I am thankful for my blessings from the Lord. I have a hubby who works hard, yet still wants to do things with the kids. I have the PRIVILEGE of staying at home with our children, the freedom to homeschool, and the TIME to play...
(Coffee Mom and Creeker are SO going to throw this post back in my face!) That's ok, I am also thankful for friends to hold me accountable!
9 comments:
AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN! One of my favorite posts! I am SO grateful that I get to stay home with my kids, I need to make the most of it! ~Karlie
Thanks for the quote and good question. Why do we need books like that? Take that time to go and play! It sound similar to a book I'm reading right now, "Last Child in the Woods" which lays out the importance of free time outside.
But so much of a child's day has been hijacked by school, daycare and organized activities that they don't get that anymore.
What a fantastic post.
I so agree with you. There have been times when I felt guilt for not having my kids in something outside of school. Almost like I was not being a good parent because my children were not in some activity that would "round out" the child they were.
I do need to spend more time playing with my daughter. Good reminder.
Excellent post! I think having time of reflection is key to our well-being.
i so agree with the others.. great post!
in the area i'm in they have kiddie playcenters where you PAY to come and let your kids play. my sister-in-law actually "schedules" in play time there. so sad..
A big part of the Charlotte Mason philosophy is outdoor time. I think that was part of what drew me to Charlotte Mason's style.
As you know my kids do very few organized activities and instead spend plenty of time outside doing kid stuff. Hunting snakes, climbing trees and running through the nieghbours maze are just a few of their favourites.
The only downfall I find it that other kids are so scheduled it's sometimes hard to find someone to play with. Well, except for your kids of course, but you live SO far away!
I about snorted Diet Pepsi out of my nose in an attempt not to laugh...but restrained myself because I knew it would hurt. All because of your sentence: "How have we messed up our culture so much that people have to write books on how to get children to play???"
It is so easy to get busy and not play.
My kids don't really like going outside -- there are OOOOOODLES of reasons, and I could name them all - but at the top of the list is the simple little word 'Bugs' -- BUT back to what I was saying -- it's so easy to NOT play.
I'm with you. every 5 minutes there's a want, a need, an injury, potty break, bug, hurt feeling - sometimes playtime is double duty for mom. But it's important..
and my kids are rough-housing and I forgot what I was going to say.
*sheesh* Sorry.
Good post! Let's play
Because of financial strains and really shy kids, we've never been involved in alot of extracurricular stuff. I lamented that for awhile wondering if I was "damaging" my kids. But I changed my tune when I realized that when my kids get done with school at noon each day and they get to just BE KIDS for the rest of the afternoon, they were getting a blessing that very few kids get these days.
Now I just need to stop what I'm doing more often and hang out with them!
Yes, I understood you comment. :)
Your crew will really enjoy these. It is sloppy but sooooooo good. We had a great time sitting around a big pot and just fellowshipping. A crusty firm bread is great with the shrimp.
Make sure you use cracked balck pepper and don't skimp.
I used about 4 pounds of 10-12 shrimp and it was way plenty for 3 of us. It really could have served 4. Be generous with the Worcestershire too.
I think we probably cooked it for about 30 minutes. The recipe says only about 12 minutes--not long enough.
Have a great day--post some pictures when you make it.
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