fourteen
As a parent, I find it to be so easy to encourage my girls to do things that I enjoy. Take them swimming? Sure! Spend hours at the library? Yes, please! Explore our local hiking trails? Every day, if they’d let me! Work on the finer points of soccer? Well, um…I guess if I have to…
It takes much more forethought and intention to actively encourage and participate in activities that don’t come easily to me. So when I found the pink (yes, pink!) soccer ball that Catherine had been asking for (at Savers, no less) I knew I had to buy it. And when we were sitting around watching Wild Krats this morning and I realized that it was nearing 60 degrees I knew we needed to get out into the great outdoors.
I kicked that soccer ball around longer than I have since I was a kid. And it was great. But the decision to do it did not come easily or naturally to me. I suspect, however, the more we do it the easier it will become!
What kinds of things to you have to work at to enjoy with your kids? How can we make it closer to second nature to broaden the experiences we share with our families?
Samara loves baking and I love baking too. But, baking together is always a challenge and I have to push myself to do it.
I think that adding fun elements, and not worrying about the “right” way to do things definitely add to experiences we share.
Easier said than done. But, we’re working on it.
Great post, Rebecca. Love catching the every day glimpse into your life. 🙂
Neither Peter or Kirsten wanted to continue piano even though both had lessons. Both went their way with tennis and computers/cello -nothing we knew much about. We as parents can expose kids to our interests but allow them to develop their own as well. It seems only fair to me.