Several
parents that I’ve talked to said that they like to spend quality time with each
of their children separately. Spending money is not a requirement to accomplish
this. The simple gift of time can mean a lot.
During basketball
season my 15 year old son Donovan and I had several opportunities to share
dialog while his brother was at practice. Yes we actually talked…parent and
teen. Nothing deep, just open conversation. This accomplishment can be equated
to climbing Mt. Everest. Actually, Mt. Everest might be a smaller mountain to
conquer.
On one
occasion, Donovan and I sat in the car waiting for Joshua’s practice to end.
Listening to music and bobbing our heads to the beat, Donovan opened the mirror
on the sun visor. Examining his face he proudly said, “My mustache is growing.”
I waited a
few seconds, then looked at him and said, “So is mine.” I wasn’t quite as happy
about my mustache as he was. But it didn’t really matter, after all we were
bonding.
Sometimes
quality time with my teen may be a trip to the mall. He goes to a sports store
while I look for the kiosk where the lady does “threading” – so I can have my
chin hairs removed and eyebrows arched. I’m afraid for her to touch the
mustache.
I recently
visited a blog where the author gave examples of how she spends quality time
with her children. Her ideas are not as off the wall as mine. Some of her
activities include:- Snuggle under a fuzzy blanket while reading with
one of your kids.
- “Listening to stories about dreams or the
previous days activities during a reading lesson.”
- “Stopping whatever I’m doing to sit down on the
floor right where I am and read a picture book to a toddler.”
No matter
what activity you decide to do with your child, giving him the gift of time
will go a long way.
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