It's been a while since we've had one-on-one time with the kids and I didn't realize how much I've missed it until I went grocery shopping with K the other day. It is amazing how mature she is when she is by herself, with no one to distract her and make her act crazy. She helped me with the groceries, we talked, we were silly, we accomplished a common goal. She said things that just made me pause for a moment and take notice that she is indeed growing up. She is almost 5 years old. At home, she and her sister and brothers play a lot so they are mostly engrossed in their own world. It's hard to keep a conversation too, because someone inevitably hijacks the conversation, and then the screaming, the yelling...(from all parties).
Being alone with one of the kids allow us to connect in a deeper level. It sounds odd, but it's an opportunity to know them individually and appreciate their differences, more than their similarities.
Showing posts with label one-on-one. Show all posts
Showing posts with label one-on-one. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, May 10, 2009
twin separation
About 2 weeks ago, I decided to take Thing 2 with me (mainly to ease Daddy's trouble taking care of 3 little ones). I had to go see the sports medicine specialist. I would be gone 3 days so Daddy and I had to think hard. In the end we decided that it would be an overall positive experience for all. It would allow me one-on-one time with Thing 2 and Curious George could get to know Thing 1 and a relative alone time with Daddy.
Thing 2 did very well on the drive. It had been a month since she had been home but she recognized the house. She inspected her old toys still left in the house and looked around. Though I couldn't leave her in the livingroom to even unload the car. She didn't want to be left alone. For the duration of the stay, she was this way. I had to set up a timer for lawn sprinkler and had to go back and forth to the house to fetch tools. Then I had to walk all over the yard to move and re-move the sprinkler head in search of the perfect spot. The entire time I had to walk from one spot to the next with Thing 2 in hand (it was slow going!).
The most amazing thing though, was the language development that happened. Thing 2 started using real words instead of twin talk. She learned new words and instantly used them correctly. We enjoyed each other a whole lot! I gave in to the fact that I wasn't going to be able to do anything in the house and enjoyed every minute of Thing 2's company. It was awesome! By the time we returned to join the rest of the family, Thing 2 was all about me.
In the meantime, Daddy reported to me that Thing 1 attached herself to Curious George like a leach. They definitely bonded. But just like Thing 2, Thing 1 hated being left alone in a room. Nana also reported Thing 1 calling out "where?" presumably looking for her sister.
The reunion was surprisingly a non-event. They looked at each other and that was it. They went back to the way things were as if they never got separated.
The whole event was positive. I can't wait to be alone now with Thing 1. It made me think of having a 1-on-1 with everyone, not just with me but with Daddy too. When Daddy finds a job and we settle in wherever we end up, I would like each child to have alone time (for a whole day or 2) with a parent 2X a year on rotation. I can't wait!
Thing 2 did very well on the drive. It had been a month since she had been home but she recognized the house. She inspected her old toys still left in the house and looked around. Though I couldn't leave her in the livingroom to even unload the car. She didn't want to be left alone. For the duration of the stay, she was this way. I had to set up a timer for lawn sprinkler and had to go back and forth to the house to fetch tools. Then I had to walk all over the yard to move and re-move the sprinkler head in search of the perfect spot. The entire time I had to walk from one spot to the next with Thing 2 in hand (it was slow going!).
The most amazing thing though, was the language development that happened. Thing 2 started using real words instead of twin talk. She learned new words and instantly used them correctly. We enjoyed each other a whole lot! I gave in to the fact that I wasn't going to be able to do anything in the house and enjoyed every minute of Thing 2's company. It was awesome! By the time we returned to join the rest of the family, Thing 2 was all about me.
In the meantime, Daddy reported to me that Thing 1 attached herself to Curious George like a leach. They definitely bonded. But just like Thing 2, Thing 1 hated being left alone in a room. Nana also reported Thing 1 calling out "where?" presumably looking for her sister.
The reunion was surprisingly a non-event. They looked at each other and that was it. They went back to the way things were as if they never got separated.
The whole event was positive. I can't wait to be alone now with Thing 1. It made me think of having a 1-on-1 with everyone, not just with me but with Daddy too. When Daddy finds a job and we settle in wherever we end up, I would like each child to have alone time (for a whole day or 2) with a parent 2X a year on rotation. I can't wait!
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