Here’s a little trick about kids that probably nobody ever told you- they don’t need your constant undivided attention. In fact, if you do it right, they need much less than you might think. If your child has about 20 minutes of your absolute uninterrupted focus in measured bursts throughout the day, they will usually feel satiated for a good 30-60 minutes afterwards before needing to have another booster from you again.
The key is in your INTENT.
Kids have a natural radar for anything insincere, so choose your time, arm yourself with the suggestions below, and GET INTO IT with your little one. Don’t be surprised if you feel revitalized like you had a mini-vacation after some quality playtime!
1. MAKE COOKIES
All kids, young and golden, love cookies! It’s a sweet memory to make cookies with mom and get to lick the bowl. Here are 2 recipes. One is a non-gluten baked muffin and the other is a raw, living food apple raisin which is naturally gluten-free. They are both enjoyable to make with your children and they are delicious. Clear your counter or table and allow your youngster to assist you in the entire process from reading the recipe together and getting all the ingredients and measuring tools out to cleaning up afterwards. Work extra slow and careful because your young child is absorbing your energy even more than your words. So relax and have fun!
CHOCOLATE COOKIES (a raw/living food recipe- no baking required)
1 cup raw cashews10 medjool dates rinsed and pitted
3-4 T shredded unsweetened coconut
2 T agave ( this is a raw/living sweetner that is lower on the glycemic index than is maple syrup but tastes just as good)
2 T cacao powder- (This is raw chocolate powder you can buy at your health food store- cocoa powder will work too if that is what you have on hand).
Process the raw cashews until they are finely ground in a food processor. Pulse the processor, to avoid getting a nut butter. Add remaining ingredients and process to smooth or chunky consistency. Roll balls and place them to chill in the fridge before serving to firm them up.
2. Make PLAYDOUGH together
“Life is like Playdough- you make of it what you want”
-Shannon Leone
Instructions:
1 C flour
1/2 C salt
2 t cream of tartar
1 C cold water
1 T oil
few drops of food color
Mix to form a smooth paste. Put in a saucepan and cook slowly on low heat until the dough begins to come away from the sides and forms a ball. When it is cool enough, take the dough out of the pan and knead for 3-4 minutes adding in the food color of your choice. (Soak pan immediately)
Store in an airtight container. It will last a long time.
3. Build A FORT
Use blankets, pillows, sheets, chairs, tables, large cardboard boxes, etc.When you have made the fort, here is how to use it in play:Pretend to be animals hiding in a cave. Your kids will love it if you play the mama bear with her cubs who keep wandering out into the wild and get into dangerous situations. Nothing too scary, but a little tension in the adventure adds drama and fun.Play cardsSnap, Crazy 8’s, or Concentration are good choices.
See my Dvd, “RAISING CHILDREN RAISES US” for our FRIENDSHIP FLAG GAME that teaches toddlers to teens how to quickly recognize up to 50 flags of the world.
Break out the WATERCOLORS, crayons, or simple crafts. Put on beautiful classical music to set a creative tone (classical music has been shown to increase intelligence) and use drop sheets to protect area. Allow your child to use 3 colors only if they are under 5 (no black) and show them how to mix colors to get more colors as they gain experience painting.
DO IT with them.
Having creative outlets is sooooo relaxing and invigorating at the same time.
4. STORYTELLING
Don’t be intimidated by this one! Anyone can tell a good story. Just start really simply.
“There was a caterpillar named Wally…he had green ears and a pink body with yellow polka dots…Wally used to love to go for walks in the forest. One day he saw a huge tree that he wanted so much to climb…but he was afraid…”
Just say whatever comes to mind without too much emotion or stress, and let go. Have fun with this. Alternatively, small kids even love little stories recalling the accounts of the day.
“Today we went for a wlak and saw a lttle doggie. We asked the owner if it was okay to pat the little doggie, and she said it was. The little dog licked your face. You laughed until your belly shook…”
It is not only a great thing to do with kids because it ‘awakens listening’, but research shows it improves memory and helps prevent Alzheimer’s, because it is real exercise for your brain! Light a candle to set the mood. Do this very slowly and with great fanfare. Your children will become so absorbed in your gesture and the mood you are creating. (Just keep it out of reach and don’t forget to put it out with equal fanfare when you are finished).
Perhaps you are a character yourself. Put on a shawl or old hat, and maybe don a different voice…anything to add to the atmosphere of the special time you are creating! Look for my upcoming post all about STORYTELLING with more detailed tips. This is really valuable because you will find your kids and you enjoying this special time for years and years to come!