"In today's world, we must provide, reflective times for our children and teach them how to listen to the still, small voice."
-Elder Neil L. Andersen
(He said this not once, but twice in his recent Ensign article "A Gift Worthy of Added Care".)
I've been thinking about how to do this over the last day or so.
This morning, I did it by pausing for a few seconds after our family prayer was said for us to quietly listen for the whisperings of the Spirit.
After school today, I did it by laying a plate of cookies and two mugs of hot chocolate in front of my kids and asking them to draw a picture of something that happened today.
I learned that one of Guy's classmates had a bad day (illustrated in the first photo).
I also learned that Scarlett "made loud noises banging stuff" at school.
I had to laugh aloud to myself as the words "June Cleaver" ran through my mind.
And I'm sure I'll get comments like "Now you're making us look bad," but you know what, the world could use a little more "June Cleaver" in it and a little less "Hillary Rod".
(To be fair, although the woman gives me the heebie-jeebies, I do think her "stay home and bake cookie" comments were taken slightly out of context...but regardless, she will always seem anti-stay-home-mom to me! Sorry, Hill!)
I've gotta say, I've never felt more independent, more able to make a difference, or more like I'm affecting the common good, than when I'm sitting across from the table sharing a plate of homemade cookies, listening to my kids.
I'm just saying.
I love this! My main resolution for this year is to make more magic for my children. To be a little more like June Cleaver and give them the best childhood they could possibly imagine. I love that you posted about that very topic today! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteP.S. The cookies look delicious!
GREAT goal, Amy! It's like...you don't have to do EVERYTHING...just some small, simple, quiet, little things...and that'll do a long way toward that goal, I'm sure!! :) - Jocelyn
ReplyDeleteLove it...thanks for posting
ReplyDeleteI like the quiet time thought...children need to have quiet times or soft music playing to just think and listen. When my grandkids come to my house, the littlest one James age 4 said what's that I hear? It was music playing...all he ever hears is videos playing loud!!!! lol!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to listen to the spirit and reap the benefits!!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I never comment, because, well, as silly as this might sound, I just think what I have to say is so plain that it wouldn't matter. BUT! Today, I just had to leave a comment! Today's post was inspirational for me. My kids are still little, but it's never to early when it comes to the things of the Spirit! You are an awesome woman! I've been a follower of your blog for a few months now (I think your blog popped up in my "recommended" list on my google reader) one post and I was hooked! Thanks for great ideas and for sharing your insights!
ReplyDeleteAnd you are saying it just right...
ReplyDelete=)
Look at you, June Cleaver. And, yeah, you are making the rest of us look bad... but that's not your fault. Why should you NOT do something that's good just because the rest of us don't? ;)
ReplyDeleteAwww! You totally inspire me! What a great way to help your kids talk about what they did a t school!
ReplyDelete-CK
Love this post! I needed the reminder. My 3.5 year old seems stressed out a lot ... hhhmmm.... I wonder if it is because her mom stresses a lot? So it is my goal to create and be open to more quiet, peaceful moments. Love your blog. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteher comment cracked me up. Because really, I bet she can't MAKE good cookies;) It really was blown out of proportion though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new pounds on my hips because I'll be making cookies tonight! There really is something about sitting and sharing them with your kiddos.
I love this post. It really makes me stop and think how I am spending time with my so. Plus, this will help me to really spend good(quality) time with him since I am not able to spend a lot of quantity time with him.
ReplyDeleteP.S. The new table looks good!
It is my firmly held opinion that if the world had more moms at home with time to bake cookies we would all be much better off!
ReplyDeleteI really can't think of anything that goes better with milk and cookies than little hands!
Not just children need that quiet time after school, teenagers do too.
ReplyDeleteMy mom made the mistake of thinking since all she had were teenagers that it was now 'okay' to go back to work full time. My brother did not handle it well at all-he want from being a straight A student to nearly dropping out of high school and a lot of it had to do with the fact that suddenly no one was there to listen, to make magic for him. At first it was okay because I was still in high school with him and we'd make ourselves milk and cookies after school and chat, but once I went to college he pretty much fell to pieces. He's doing much better now, at BYU, served a full time mission, but too many moms make the mistake of thinking that once their kids reach X age they no longer need them at home, and it's just patently untrue.