Happy Children

I just returned from a trip out west where I stayed at a large hotel that happened to cater to families.  It was a joy to see this upscale hotel hand out backpacks full of goodies to the scores of children checking in with their parents for spring break.  The weather was warm, the pool looked more like a winding river, complete with tubes, and the slide into the pool was mammoth. 

I was able to observe many family interactions in my short time there.   What was so clear is that the happiest children were those who were engaged...with their parents.  What I mean is that those kids who were displaying behavior that we might term "unruly" or "disruptive" to others in the hotel were the kids whose parents were on their cell phones (equally disruptive at times) or who were reading the morning paper at breakfast rather than talking to their kids. 

The most beautiful moment I witnessed was a vibrant mom playing with her 2 children at the kid's playground area.  They were involved in a boisterous game of tag and the kids were out of their bodies they were so happy.  I saw this same family later in the dining room and even though mom was engaged in a conversation with dad, the children were happily chatting with one another, coloring in their books, and enjoying their meal. 

So, do we have to give our undivided attention to our children ALL the time?

NO WAY....that's unhealthy.

But, when we are fully focused on our kids and they feel heard, appreciated, loved, and even played with....they can hold it together during those other times....bask in the love they know they have from us and not have to act out for some sort of connection.

Just wanted to share my "mom observations from the road."

Comments

[Pearl]

Thanks a lot for sharing your observation. I'm sometimes guilty of not paying attention to my kids, and your observation is right, they tend to act up just to get my undivided attention.

[baby names expert]

Thanks for sharing this observation. You can learn a lot from watching other parents.

[Mimi]

Christie,

We all fall into the same trap of giving our attention to what we don't want -- and getting more of that -- rather than focusing on what we do want.

Bravo to you for noticing.

Keep us posted.

[christie chavis]

Thank you for the great observation. I think that I have been focusing on too much of my housework and not getting involved with the kids more often. And that is why they have been acting up since I do pay them attention when they are dissobedient.
Will try and split my time more with the housework and kids.