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Home » Inspirational, Parenting

Parenting: Really there with our kids, or ‘just happen to be there’?

9 December 20095 Comments

Being a fulltime parent doesn’t necessarily mean we’re REALLY there with our kids.

I mean, we can be ‘with’ our kids because we’re interacting with them while we’re doing ‘other things’.

But really, when we are there with these little ones, are we really really THERE with them, giving them our time and fullest attention? Being in their world and play with them?

Because I feel we get too easily distracted, even more so today than say, a decade ago.

Today we have mobile phones in our hands where we can send text messages, check emails and surf the internet. We have blackberry and facebook. We have laptops. We have the URGE to check these gadgets regularly for updates.

(not to forget we also have endless list of things to do around the house too everyday)

Now.

Let us ask ourselves these questions:

Do we answer our kids’ questions while looking at the computer screen or our mobile phone?
Do we sit next to our kids while we ourselves read the papers or ‘do other work’?
When was the last time we stay with our kids and truly listen (for a long, uninterrupted, period of time) to what they have to show, share and tell us?

You know, I can’t help but feel so guilty when I reflect upon this.

Yes, we parents have endless list of things to do.

Yes, it’s great if we can multitask and squeeze our time (doing ‘more’ at a given time).

But in the end, let us not forget too that our little ones need our uninterrupted time and undivided attention as well.

It’s something that I need to constantly remind myself too.

(And really, they are not asking for much. They’ll be more than happy, I’m sure, if we can spare even one uninterrupted hour out of our busy schedule each day with them)

Let’s remember to REALLY BE THERE for our kids. Starting today.

5 Comments »

  • nic says:

    The guilt feeling is always lingering in me…always feel that I’m ‘so near yet so far’ to my boy! Too much mundane chores!

  • Leonny says:

    Priscilla:

    Thanks for sharing too …

    I need to constantly remind myself all the time too, to really listen, and at times when I can’t ‘really be there with them’ (usually because of work deadlines, etc), I try to make an effort to just get out of the house and spend time with them…

    Can’t imagine how much harder it is for you with 3 little ones to handle too …

  • Leonny says:

    Alli:

    Thanks for sharing! Somehow I feel it’s something that quite a lot of parents these days are facing too …

  • Priscilla says:

    Leony, great post and reminder! I am guilty of that too, cooking the dinner, with the exhaust fan noise in the background, eldest boy telling me about his day in school, my 2nd one in the background winging out loud again, babies babble next to me..yes, must stop and listen! Thanks!

  • Alli says:

    Over at whyzz.com, we feel exactly like you do. While our purpose is to help explain the world’s whys and hows in a kid-friendly language, we definitely stress getting off the computer and brainstorming the answers for yourself as well!

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