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So we've been having family tea time every weekday at around 3:30. It's a nice break in our day and a chance to spend some screen-free time together.
During today's tea time I realized just how much quarantine is doing to bond us as a family. Quick thread:
During today's tea time I realized just how much quarantine is doing to bond us as a family. Quick thread:
Today we decided to try out these conversational cards @TheCeejus recently bought from @bestselfco - specifically the "Little Talk" deck geared toward kid-friendly prompts ( https://bestself.co/products/little-talk-deck)
The prompts are great. We got through a couple before drawing one that said something like "How do I want people to respond when I get angry?"
Each of the kids went with "When I get angry, I would like you to give me a piece of candy." Honestly a solid solution that would probably work for me in most cases. Sour gummies, please.
Then it was my turn to answer. I thought for a few seconds, then said "Hm...when I'm angry I think what I really need..." before my 7-year-old cut me off:
"You need space."
I blinked. "What?"
"Space. When you're angry you need space."
"...why do I need space?"
"To think."
"You need space."
I blinked. "What?"
"Space. When you're angry you need space."
"...why do I need space?"
"To think."
I just looked at her, my mouth open, in utter shock.
Me: "That...is exactly what I was going to say. Word for word. How did you know that?"
My 7 YEAR OLD: "Because that's what you do when you get angry about work."
Me: "What do I do?"
Her: "You step back and think."
Me: "That...is exactly what I was going to say. Word for word. How did you know that?"
My 7 YEAR OLD: "Because that's what you do when you get angry about work."
Me: "What do I do?"
Her: "You step back and think."
Her: "I've seen you do it. When I walk in the back room sometimes and your head is down. I know you need space. You're thinking."
Me: "I...that's right. When I'm angry, I need space to think."
And then I just stared at her.
Me: "I...that's right. When I'm angry, I need space to think."
And then I just stared at her.
As a parent, I worry that they watch too much TV. I worry that this isolation is hurting their social development. I worry that I'm forgetting to teach them something important, that I'm shorter-tempered than I'd like to be, setting a bad example, and that I'm not a fun dad.
But staring at my kiddo, it all went away. The icy grip of anxiety melted into relief, then effervescent joy.
This little one is doing great. They both are. They're observant, sensitive, and kind.
All I have to do is cheer them on.
...and supply anger candy.
I can do that.
This little one is doing great. They both are. They're observant, sensitive, and kind.
All I have to do is cheer them on.
...and supply anger candy.
I can do that.
