The week has become a Yinkana of extracurriculars and on weekends a marathon of plans, parties and birthdays. When did our life become so complicated?
Our children have too many things, too much information, too many activities and, consequently, too much stress. The time has come to subtract: will we be able to leave less things in our lives to make sense of those who stay? The challenge is worth it: the result is calmer and happier children.
Less is more
Between the impossible work schedules and the idea that the child has to learn English, Mandarin and be a crack of sports since his early childhood we are turning our day to day into a nightmare. Then the weekend arrives and it is time to "compensate" the children for the little time we have spent with them with very special plans that come out of our eyes and the children do not even value because they are used to it.
The educational consultant Kim John Payne has written a book called Simple Paternity (has not yet been translated into Spanish) in which he warns that there are too many things in the lives of our children left over:
"Many of the current behavior problems come from children who have too many things and live a life that is too fast. Children need time to convert themselves through play and social interaction. If a child is overwhelmed with too many things , with options and decisions before you are prepared for it, you will only know one emotional response: More! "
According to this author, we must have the courage to get things out of our lives that are hindering us as a family. Here are some clues to know where to start:
No to the mountains of toys
Gabriele Galimberti The huge baskets or trunks we use to pick up fast and not always have everything in between are comfortable for parents, but they are not the most suitable for children. They benefit more from having few toys in sight and better if they are classified by type: craft materials on the one hand, musical instruments on the other, animals, vehicles, puzzles ...
A good idea is to rotate the toys (for example every month) so that they get the most out of the ones they are using and renew the interest in those who were fallow.
Practice "slow parenting"
Yes, it is difficult to do things more slowly, but you can find a way to adapt more to the rhythm of children because often it is not just about the lack of time, but about our adult way of thinking.
The other day I realized that I am always hurrying my son on the way to the park. He loves to balance the curbs and entertain himself looking at the pigeons but I say hurry to get to the park, which is where I have decided to have a good time. But if you stop to think, he is already having a good time. He is doing what he wants to do at that moment, he is having fun and he is also developing balance, observing, asking himself questions ... learning. Many times children They give us clues about how to make things easy, but we are so focused on what we do not see.
Make leisure time a priority
Too many homework and after school children are eating the time children need for creative play and exploration. According to Payne: "Rest nourishes creativity, which in turn feeds activity. Activity nourishes rest, which sustains creativity. Everything is related."
Is it necessary for our children to have every afternoon covered with activities? Maybe it would be better to focus on one or two favorite activities and leave more free time to explore or play with other children. This would also benefit these "taxi parents" who spend much of the afternoon carrying and picking up children, eating jams and with the eternal feeling of not getting anywhere.
Simplify the plans
From time to time it is great to surprise children with a special plan or a fantastic trip, but our children will not love us anymore if we take them to Disneyland.
Moreover, surely when they are older they will remember with more affection the walks in the countryside, family meals, on Sunday mornings swirling in bed or the times you said yes when he asked you to play with him or tell him a story .
What better memory than "our best self" could we leave our children? Parents less stressed, emotionally accessible, less worried and more prone to laughter. This is how I want my children to remember me. Meanwhile, I sign up for challenge to simplify life to make my children happier children.
Via Green child magazine
In Babies and more The real reasons why parents shout at children, There is life beyond extracurricular: parents who neglect their social life for the activities of their children
Simplicity Parenting
Today in Amazon for € 15.07
