Did you realize that “playing with your child” is an important parenting skill? Yes, it can be hard to find time in this busy world for play, but ask yourself these revealing questions to help you realize the importance of finding some time every day to play with your children.
Why did I want to have children in the first place?
Why do I love them?
What do I wish I had done more of over the past few years?
What did I wish my parents made more time with for me?
For parents of infants through four-year-olds, “time to cuddle, hold, play, and attend to the child is invaluable for the child to thrive. Play is the child’s opportunity to experience freedom, joy, and self-expression.” It is a time when children can feel full of themselves. children work out their feelings in play, and if there have been traumatic experiences, play is healing. When you play with your child it creates a loving and close bond. So enter into their world. Join their world of pretend. When your child structures a game and is enjoying it, do not make it harder, so he or she is not successful. SImply be accepting, reflecting, and enjoying.” (Diane Tillman, Living Values, Parent Groups, a Facilitator’s Guide,p 59)
For parents of five to nine-year olds ask yourself: what do I enjoy doing myself that I can do with my child? What would be fun for both myself and my child? Playing every day, even for only fifteen minutes guarantees your child gets the “us time” of full attention and close eye contact which builds cooperation and love. Within this bond, minor negatives will simply disappear. Play pretend games, play outside, play with balls and dolls. Don’t get competitive, instead model graceful winning and losing. Winning a game about one-third of the time is fine. Us Time can also be a time of just listening with your full attention. Use daily routine time to interact with your children, such as driving or walking to the store, while washing the dishes, or setting the table. (Tillman, p 60)
For parents of children ten to eighteen-years old, finding quality time every day to be with your children is basic to having a successful relationship with them. It is said that a thirteen-year old needs as much attention as a five-year-old. Stopping what you are doing to really be there will make such a difference, even for fifteen minutes a day. Consistent love and regard each day builds a safety net for helping them to feel better about themselves and help both of you to navigate the teen years more smoothly. (Tillman, p 61)
Have fun building this number one parenting skill into your life with your children each and every day! It is a priority, isn’t it?
Aloha Beautiful Soul,
Thank you for visiting Enlightened Answers. These writings are my on-going churnings of deep spiritual studies and reflection upon the self - Along with this, there is constant meditation. Both meditation and daily attention to spiritual study which leads to awareness of the self have immeasurably nourished me and increased the joy of living and serving I'm able to experience in these times of great and sudden change.
It has also been my fortune to be situated in the Hawaiian Islands in the midst of the Pacific Ocean where I landed with my son 31 years ago. The past 25 years, I've been on the oldest, northern most, and serenest island of Kauai.
Many don't realize that Hawaii is made up of a chain of seven islands- Kauai, the Garden Isle, is situated at the top of the chain and is often called the "crown" of the Hawaiian islands. Kauai is also called the Island of the Golden Light, and the Island of Discovery for good reason! Truly this is where I was led in order to discover the wonders of the inner golden light ignited by the Supreme Light. It is here that I continually reinforce the awareness that- I am a peaceful, loving soul, a being of light*- just as you are. This journey has led me to surrender the rest of this life to the Divine Beloved, the One who loves unconditionally and who teaches the method to return to our original nature of purity, love, wisdom, & altruism. Through these writings- I am building a fortress of light with the pure intention that others may strengthen their own light.
For over fifteen years, I've had the fortune of traveling to northern India- to the state of Rajasthan- where the Brahma Kumari World Spiritual University is perched atop Mt. Abu.
This wonderful oasis of light is also called Madhuban which means Forest of Honey. It is a pilgrimage place dedicated to the Remembrance of who we truly are -- eternal souls. This awareness also brings us into the natural relationship and remembrance of the Eternal One- the Creator God- Beloved of All.
I go to Madhuban to meditate and study in a fully spiritually charged atmosphere where others are there for the same purpose. We are a spiritual family who enjoy solitude, as well as unity. We enjoy delicious spiritually charged meals, beautiful gardens, angelic music, and communing with like-hearted souls from across the globe. Madhuban is a pure, divine container that serves those who wish to live according to the highest spiritual codes. It is a place designed for souls to have a deep, rich, and loving meeting with the Supreme Soul. My annual journeys there have enriched my life immeasurably, beyond words. I've become a peaceful soul who honors the peaceful soul of you. I am a lover of Truth and hope that you are able to glean deep soul answers from these writings. Take the jewels that touch you, make them your own, and share them, for "giving and receiving freely" is a good part to have at this time of great transformation.
If anything in this blog touches you, please do not hesitate to reach out and share, comment, and subscribe to receive more inspiration direct to your inbox.
Please text or call me at 808-639-9436. I respond, in service, usually the same day. Or email to shivalaya108@gmail.com.
Wishing you Peace,
Shivalaya
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