More Simple Gifts

After I wrote my last post, I realized what a simple gift quiet time can be ~ for my girls, for myself and for my husband.

I then began to think of more simple gifts we can give to those we love and came up with the following:

1. Unstructured play time

There is a time and place for planning what our family/kids need to do each day, but giving them time to just be is a real gift. As a homeschooling mom, I intentionally try to step out of the picture for several hours each day, giving my kids time to be kids. Just yesterday my kids put on a performance they created during their unstructured time. I am so thankful we aren't running here and there from this activity to the next. Kids need time to be kids and I really do feel like this is one of the best gifts I can give them.

2. Less screen time

This goes without saying much. We've got quite a ways to go before we are completely screen-free, but I see such a positive difference on the days when our screen time is minimal. My kids rarely get to use the computer - maybe once a week for 30 minutes. And their television/movie watching is limited to about 1-2 hours a week. Their weakness - playing games on the ipad. I let my husband control this issue and they no longer even ask me if they can play. Since they are around me a lot more than they are around him, it's not that big of a deal.

3. Dinner as a family

We eat dinner together every night. Period. Except for Friday nights....the girls eat together and my husband and I prepare a special meal later. But our girls know this is a special "date night" for mommy and daddy, and they kind of like the routine and rhythm of it all. I'm so glad we've gotten used to this practice.

4. Time alone

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm still reclaiming this idea and practice, but it seems so obvious to me that we all need time alone. When we are alone we can think, process and rest.