For the past two days when we get home from work and daycare, my older son comes in the house and says "I pway Pay-doh Mommy." How could I say no to that?! The first night, against my better judgement, I pulled out two containers of Play-doh and sat on the floor. What happened after that surprised me. He didn't throw a fit! We made a mess, but we also made memories!
This may look like a mess, but this Play-doh represents more than that. It's him learning and exploring. It's problem solving as he learns how to take the lid off, and carefully scrape the dough out of the container. It's him learning colors and how to match. It's him using his imagination and seeing something in the lumps and clumps that my adult mind doesn't see anymore. It's him sitting in my lap and focusing on something that isn't electronic. It's him saying "I did it Mommy!" with pride.
It's me letting dinner sit a little longer before we eat. It's me putting my phone down and absorbing the moment. It's me letting go of the mess, and the need to "help" when he can figure it out on his own. It's me encouraging him to explore his creative side.
The most amazing part is that he doesn't throw a temper tantrum. Most other nights he has a meltdown of some sort. When he doesn't get his way or I don't give him a snack before dinner, he stomps and whines. What I've noticed is that when I spend 20 minutes with him "pwaying Pay-doh" he feels loved and noticed. We haven't had the tantrums. He may not express it through words, but his behavior softens, and I know that the time we've just spent together is irreplaceable. I'm slowly learning to get out of my own way, put aside the hustle of the evenings, and spend a simple few minutes with my little boy. It's just a phase, and I don't want to miss it!
This may look like a mess, but this Play-doh represents more than that. It's him learning and exploring. It's problem solving as he learns how to take the lid off, and carefully scrape the dough out of the container. It's him learning colors and how to match. It's him using his imagination and seeing something in the lumps and clumps that my adult mind doesn't see anymore. It's him sitting in my lap and focusing on something that isn't electronic. It's him saying "I did it Mommy!" with pride.It's me letting dinner sit a little longer before we eat. It's me putting my phone down and absorbing the moment. It's me letting go of the mess, and the need to "help" when he can figure it out on his own. It's me encouraging him to explore his creative side.
The most amazing part is that he doesn't throw a temper tantrum. Most other nights he has a meltdown of some sort. When he doesn't get his way or I don't give him a snack before dinner, he stomps and whines. What I've noticed is that when I spend 20 minutes with him "pwaying Pay-doh" he feels loved and noticed. We haven't had the tantrums. He may not express it through words, but his behavior softens, and I know that the time we've just spent together is irreplaceable. I'm slowly learning to get out of my own way, put aside the hustle of the evenings, and spend a simple few minutes with my little boy. It's just a phase, and I don't want to miss it!
Love! I wonder if his Love Language is Quality Time?
ReplyDeleteI think it's that and personal touch. He loves hugs, kisses and sitting on our laps! He's always been snuggly. This is something I can't wait to find out as he and his brother get older!
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