What does presence with your children mean?
To have the ability to be there with them 100% and not be there but having a zillion other conversations going on in my head at the same time. We are all guilty of this at some time or another however it is crucial that we take time and “BE” with our children. In ten years time we will forget what was going through our heads at the time but we will never forget the time we spend with our kids and more importantly neither will they.
Being present in parenting is life changing
I actually enjoy parenting so much more, we have all at one time or another not been present and spent time trying to keep them quiet so we can go off and do our own thing. However I know when I do that it makes me feel bad, I get the “guilt’s” and I find myself resenting them and myself so I much prefer to enjoy and grow with my girls.
Know the obstacles and work around them
There are always things that we have to do that prevent us from being with our children and lets face it you don’t want to be with them all the time and its important they become independent as well. Know what you have to do and plan what time you are going to do them and spend quality time with your children before that. Then they are satisfied and much more willing to amuse themselves.
Create a space
My girls are young 2 and 4 years old they are just finding themselves so it’s important to me that I nurture their attributes and let them have a voice. I find if I just ask them something they don’t really answer however if we are doing something together like cooking or playing and I ask the same question they will respond because they don’t feel like they’re being judged.
It is really difficult sometimes to stay present in parenting and in every area of your life. Often we will constantly come in and out of being present something that you can do is all through out your day make an effort to stop, take a breath and focus on within. Think from your stomach not your head.
Do you have any tricks or tips that you use, we’d love to hear them.