The Magic of the Moment

2 year old:  "Sue, what are you doing?" 

Me:  "Washing the dishes." 

2 year old one minute later:  "What are you doing, Sue?" 

Me: "Still washing the dishes." 

2 year old 30 seconds later:  "Now what are you doing?" 

Me:  "Still washing the dishes." 

I know that if you have small children, there is a very good chance that you have had these same conversations, along with the dreaded "Why?" loop and the ever popular "How do you…?" chorus about 1 billion times in your home.  And that's just Monday!

These endless question phases can be devastating mentally. It can wear you down like a dripping faucet at 3 a.m. - washing away your patience and joy at spending time with your little darlings drip by drip. (Or question by question, as the case may be)

I try very hard to remember as we go through those phases that for children, everything is an opportunity. It is my job to seize the moment. 

Everyday moments like folding laundry, doing dishes, going grocery shopping etc.. are filled with moments that we can teach. The trick is looking at things from their perspective. 

I am washing the dishes. Do you see the bubbles in the sink? Want to feel them in your fingers? Why do we wash dishes? What are the steps to wash the dishes? Would you like to help me? 

I am folding laundry. Can you match the socks? This is 1 wash cloth. Now I am going to fold it in half- that means I make 2  equal pieces from one whole. Feel how warm the towels are? Let's wrap up in them and read a book. 

We are going to the grocery store. What do we need to buy? Can you help me spot the apples? Are oranges a fruit or a vegetable? What do you smell? What number is this on the sign? That tells us how much it costs. We need 4 cans of beans- let's count them out. 

It is hard in our busy world full of "To Do" lists to stop and see EVERY moment as the potential to open a door for your kids. Sometimes you just need to get the towels folded for goodness sake!  But when the questions start coming, sending back a few of your own can at least give you a fighting chance! 

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