Play, Laugh, Fun!

     It is easy to get so focused on the things that need to get done and forget to enjoy the little moments with the ones I'm doing everything for.  As a mom with a houseful of kids there is constantly something I could be doing, and it probably needs to be done.  However, I find that when I try to keep up every minute on what I "have" to do, I am grouchier towards the kids, and end up hurting relationship.
     Sometimes I just need to let the dishes and laundry and vacuuming wait so that I can just be here with the kids, for the kids.  They need to talk, play, show off for me, and have my total attention while they are just being kids.  They don't need me to be teaching, instructing, demonstrating, or correcting every second of the day.  Do they need those things?  Absolutely!  They also need to be enjoyed!  I forget to enjoy them too many times, I'm afraid.
     It doesn't have to be an entire day of that, or even a 2 hour stretch of time.  We do things like, tell our 5 year old, "Ok, ready?  It is your turn to talk about anything you want - tell us everything you want to talk about."  And then, we just let her talk until she runs out. The funny thing is, she has a hard time thinking of what she wants to say sometimes, but, it doesn't take long for her to think of something, and then the words just tumble out like ice from an ice maker.  Another thing I have done with my kids since my oldest was a baby : I sit on the floor to let them run, play, climb on me, etc.   When I get down on the floor, my kids take that as their cue to flock around me.  Then, I will pick them up and pretend to throw them or something like that(unless they're too big, like my 8 yr old, who I just push or tickle or something)... then they all go away from me, and take turns running to me one at a time so I can throw them or tickle them, and hug them now and then.   It doesn't expend a ton of my energy, but it does theirs, and they are just having so much fun, and feeling so loved at the same time.   We have to set boundaries before we start, so they know if I say "Freeze" they are to stop right where they are while I deal with a problem that arose or stopped someone from being hurt, etc.  If they don't respect the boundaries, then the game is over, but they enjoy it so much that they usually respect the boundaries.
     Discipline, schooling, manners, character building, chores (the list could go on and on of the things that are necessary in raising children) are all very important things.  However, so is love and play and fun!  Kids need both things from their parents, not only the serious stuff.  I know some of the serious stuff, most of it, is also love.  It's just easier for them to feel loved and enjoyed and that the serious stuff is for them when they are getting playtime and silly time, and fun, with us too.