Spiritual Parenting with Mimi Doe

Halloween Frights

I don't love Halloween!

I love the traditions, rituals, and soulful rhythm around most other holidays...but Halloween is just plain scary for most little kids.

I recall the year one of my daughters was so frightened by the ghosts and goblins showing up at our door that she threw up right in the big bowl of goodies we were handing out.  Well, that shut down Halloween in our household...

Tune into your young children this year and make sure you pace your plans according to their comfort zones.  There's nothing wrong with choosing to stay in rather than trick or treating if your son or daughter is frightened.  There are no SHOULDS here...only fun if fun is warts, broomsticks, and a ghost or two.

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."