Come Play with Me!
Last night at supper, I pretended that I was a turkey guarding the salad bowl. Yes, readers, it’s true. Elf and Giant had a raucous time trying to steal and eat all of the salad. Even Hubby got into the action, trying to distract me away from my hearty, vigilant yet bungled efforts to keep the salad – tomatoes named Rudies and mixed greens named Gertrudes and Phyllis-es – in the bowl. My guardian attempts failed. If it was possible to lick it clean, they would have, laughing and giggling the entire time.
Today, Giant’s and my salamanders were busy saving Mr. Bobo – the Lego man – from hammer head sharks. We chased each other all over the house and had a “flippin’” good time. (Couldn’t help that one from jumping in there, sorry.)
Oh, and by the way, Elf and Giant are NOT allowed to smile in the car. Only serious children are allowed in our car.
What is going on at The Little Yellow House?
Hubby’s on vacation and we’re not traveling. We’re relaxed and we’re hard at work playing.
Hubby and I are big proponents of playing with our kids. Not everyone is, however. Some folks believe that adults playing with their kids robs children of their creativity. They believe that when we play with our children, our children see us as their friends rather than the authority figures parents should be.
We believe the opposite: that play is children’s way of communicating and working through the issues and situations they confront every day. Play helps children make sense of the world. If we choose not to be their guides, peers, television and a media-saturated culture will fill the void.
No, it’s not always fun and sometimes we’re pretty darn tired. On those days, I lay on the floor. The kids pretend they’re doctors and cover me with band aids while I dramatically moan and groan in mock discomfort.
And that’s when I hear the giggles and see the glimmer in their eyes. Then I know I’m on the right path and then I groan a little bit louder just to get them to giggle again.
So let the nay-sayers say what they will. Even if the benefit of playing with the kids is only to reaffirm our commitment to them, then that’s good enough for Hubby and me.
To my beloved play partners – Hubby, Elf, Giant – thanks for a terrific week!
Photo source: http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/pl5.shtml
