Teaching Mindfulness
Post Contributed by: Amy Svensson, M.A., CCC-SLP
Wow! Where does the time go? My youngest child starts kindergarten in the fall. I just received the reminder about Kindergarten Registration coming up next month!! I will soon have to stand in line with paperwork in hand to get him all set for the next big chapter. How did that happen? Like most parents, I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. I remember the sleepless nights, reflux, his coos and sweet babbles so clearly. I admit, often times the days have felt super long juggling and multi-tasking since my husband and I also have an 8 year old. I catch myself asking, “Am I savoring the littlest of moments with all that is going on around me? Am I giving youngest my undivided attention when he and I are together 1:1?”
As much as I know I am doing the best I can each and every day, I know I can be even more mindful to live in the moment. I want to ‘be in the now’ with my soon-to-be-kindergartner! I want to ‘be in the now’ as much as possible of course.
I have been making sure 2013 involves an outing/activity each week for my son and I that we do just the two of us. No phones allowed. I am disconnected. I research and find different things to do each week. I wanted to share some of the things my son and I have already done and also things on our list to do where we can JUST BE and BE TOGETHER:
- Lucas and I spent 3 hours one quiet morning painting pottery at Mudhouse Pottery Painting located in Issaquah, WA. We each picked out a piece to paint. Lucas created and painted with no influence from me. It was 100% his project. I painted a bowl. On the bottom it reads, “Lucas & Mommy 1.7.13.” We chatted, laughed, and I got many kisses and “I love you Moms.”
- Preschool story time at our local library. We cozy together and listen to the stories the librarian reads. Afterwards, Lucas checks out books with his own library card.
- We love our 12-year old dog and he goes everywhere with us. We discovered dogs are allowed at Issaquah Coffee House in Gilman Village. We brought a puzzle from home and enjoyed 2-hours of quality time all while Louie rested at our feet.
- Sledding and hot cocoa
- Finding a cozy spot to work on little love notes to those we care about who live near and far
- Bowling – so fun!!
- There are numerous hiking trails we want to try
- Lucas and I declare one day per month during our rainy/cold season “Mommy and Lucas PJ day.” We stay in our PJs all day, watch movies, do ‘reverse dessert’ at lunchtime, have popcorn for snack and do a craft.
- There are SO many museums for us to try!!!
- We plan to take a kids/parent cooking class together
- Try playgrounds we have never been to before
- Baking a new yummy recipe together
I know very well that the foundation for communication between mother/child starts very very early. It is my hope that as both my children grow and find themselves in a variety of relationships throughout their lives that they will remember our fun 1:1 times together and fall back on what it means to truly be connected and in the moment with another person. I am confident they will have a firm understanding of the importance of being a great communication partner which includes being a good listener and giving their undivided attention. It is a gift I give them today that I hope they will use each and every day as they pave their own paths in life. ~ Amy Svensson
