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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
. . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.
– Ecclesiastes 1:1 and 4 NIV
One night while giving my kids a bath, my mind started to wander. I was so tired and completely ready to be off duty for the night. I began thinking about what was on my to-do list for the next day. I couldn’t wait to put the kids in bed and watch the next episode of my show.
While I was lost in my thoughts, my kids started splashing each other. They threw bubbles and scoops of water into the air and all over the floor. All the noise caught my attention. I must have had a disapproving look on my face because my son yelled, “Mom! Watch us and smile!”
His words reminded me of how often I forget to smile and have fun with my kids. I often allow the demands of motherhood and running a household to weigh me down. I can take things too seriously.
I am so thankful for the reminder that my kids are watching me. They watch my reactions and my expressions. They watch me sitting on the sidelines while they’re having fun. Wouldn’t it be neat to give our kids memories of mom joining in on the fun?
Since that night at bath time, I’ve tried to be intentional about saying “yes” to my kids’ invitations for fun and playfulness. I may have rolled my ankle attempting parkour, but hey, I tried! I also try to initiate moments of fun with them. Sometimes it’s putting on fun music to sing along in the car or dance in the kitchen. Other times, it’s keeping a deck of cards on our kitchen table that we can pull out while dinner is finishing or we’re having an afternoon snack.
Fun may not come naturally to us anymore as grown-ups, but we need it just as much as kids do. A beautiful blessing of raising children is that they remind us of this truth. Let’s watch them and smile. Let’s “say yes” to fun as much as possible!
Questions:
- What holds you back from having fun with your kids?
- How can you incorporate more fun into your time with them?
Andrea Fortenberry, Executive Leadership Coach (andreafortenberry.com)