“Play is often talked about as if it were a serious relief from learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” -Fred Rodgers
I’ve been struggling with questioning my use of time with the boys recently. Asking myself, am I taking them out on too many fun adventures on the days I’m not at work with them? Am I contributing to Jude falling behind in his academics compared to his peers? Self doubt and guilt started to crawl into my thoughts and they began to eat away at me. But after a beautiful session during our weekly meeting during our Storied Marriages gathering, I realized there is a place and time for everything and at four years old, it’s ok that I’m focusing on building in lots of exploration time for these two nuggets. So many of us know Dr. Seuss’s famous book, “Oh, the Places You Will Go!” and tonight I realized more importantly I want them to remember, “Oh, the places that I’ve been!” I want these years to fill them with wonder as they go throughout their lives discovering new interests and new friends. I want them to be filled with curiosity and not frustration when they encounter something above and beyond them. May these days, be the start of so much more for them.
To my Jude and my Ronan, may you two never stop having fun in your discoveries of this big beautiful world that we live in.
Keep up your fun adventures with your boys …. you learn a lot of problem solving skills & creative ideas through playing ! 👍👌
We love your approach !
Love you!
Auntie Jean
Thank you for your words of encouragement! <3
Honestly, I see all the adventures you take your kids on and see SO MUCH rich learning. The multi-sensory experiences… the travels, the smells… time in nature, climbing, running, scooting… I think it’s amazing and it encourages me to keep seeking the next adventure with my kiddos! They are going to have SO MUCH time sitting in a chair doing academic things in the next 15+ years, and I feel strongly that if we’ve been blessed enough to get to spend time with them at home, then taking them out to play and fill these years with a magic that is really only possible at this stage in life is one of the best things we can do for them!!! You inspire me, keep at it!!
Thank you, mama for the words of encouragement. Means so very much to me and it’s a great reminder that the life they live this very moment, will end very quickly. I’ll continue seeking out lots of new adventurous spots for both boys to thrive in, until they start sitting full time in those little desks. 😉