The Truth about Fun
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
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Cathy Cassani Adams
real fun, because it was their idea...
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Early last week the girls decided to plan a Friday night slumber party.
Just the three of them, in our house, on their 3-year-old sister's floor.
They got the thumbs up from us and they immediately jumped to action. It was like a revelation, the most simple, yet inspired decision they have ever made.
Without my help the three of them huddled at the table and spent almost an hour planning the overnight.
When I couldn't locate any of their toothbrushes on Thursday morning, I realized they had each already packed a bag (which was a bit confusing since they were just heading three or four feet down the hallway).
Throughout the day they added activities to the Friday night agenda, planned a menu, chose a movie, and made decorations for Skylar's room -pictures of balloons, flowers, and faces…..
We have planned trips to Disney World, musicals, ice shows, parades, you name it, but this event seemed to garner much more excitement and anticipation.
I realized how often I fall victim to "telling" my children what fun is (you'll love it, I did!) and go about making plans assuming that my ideas are great.
But children tend to have their own thoughts about fun - and a lot of the time it's simple and inexpensive.
It was a good reminder to stand back - to allow the girls enough space and time for their own inspired ideas.
Because it's their awesome imagination and creative spirit that makes fun, fun.
Cathy Adams is a certified parenting coach, yoga instructor and mother to three girls.
See more of Cathy's stories here.
Contact Cathy at cathycadams@sbcglobal.com
you said it!By shayne on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 they have the BEST ideas. that is why i've chosen my profession, working with children. kids have the most creative and open minds. In fact, they always stimulate my creativity and imagination. It's like magic. I don't know how it happens, but every time i've been inspired or had a fresh idea, it's from being around their magic. they're like little fairies. |
Toys define fun too!
By Jenny on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I couldn't agree more. I also think all our "toys" tell us how to have fun. I love to watch my children go in the backyard without getting out anything we've purchased that guarantees "fun" and just playing a great game of imagination with the sticks, dirt, and other stuff they just find. Even a park tells you how to "play." Climb here, slide there. And even though we love a great park, sometimes we like to take our kids on nature walks where they have to find their own fun!