Thursday, June 21, 2012

Let's Play!


"Play with them!" 

That's what my mom told me when I complained to her yesterday morning about not knowing if I could possibly home school our kids. My mom wisely reminded me though that right now what young children need most is time and space to play; real structured learning will come later.

My immediate response: "Play? How do I do that?"

I am not sure that I ever "played" as a child. My poor brother had to beg me to come outside and play with him because I was usually holed up in my room with a book. My idea of fun was learning something: I liked to memorize trivia and pretend to be a teacher and do workbooks. Yes, I was {and still am} a nerd.

My desire to play school has not ended; I simply have new pupils. However, like my little brother, these students prefer to run and draw and splash. And why shouldn't they? They are only kids. However, there is this ever-present voice inside my head that asks me: "Why isn't she reading yet?" And I start to get down on myself for not teaching her, for not knowing where to even start except that we read dozens of books every day.


My "31 Days of Play!" Challenge

So when my mom said, "Play with them!" The wheels started turning in my head, I pushed out {at least temporarily} my fears about my children being forever illiterate and started brainstorming ways we could play more together this summer. 

Notice I said "together" because I intend to play too! No reading, no surfing the blogosphere, no cleaning {ha!}. I need to learn how to relax and enjoy playing with my children, so that is what I intend to do.

Every day, beginning July 1st, I hope you will join us for "31 Days of Play!" We will have a new frugal activity each day from inside activities like arts and crafts and pretend play to adventures in the great outdoors like.  

Note: These activities will cost nothing or very little and most will require very little preparation because I am cheap and have only so much time in my day :)

I hope you will play with us in July!

Do you enjoy playing with your children? What are your favorite activities?

Blessings to you!



Keri


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19 comments:

  1. Yay! sign me up - I can never figure out what to do with my kids, so our play time is always chalking outside or doing puzzles inside - lame I know. Cant' wait for this fun challenge!

    Marissa @ forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com

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  2. Marissa, I can relate! That is part of the reason I am issuing this challenge for myself: The kids and I are both tired of sidewalk chalk and puzzles. This forces me to find new ways to have fun together. Hope you will find some good ideas here too.

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

    Keri

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  3. I'll admit, I almost didn't read this post because of the title. I ADORE my children. That being said I have never liked kids even when I was a teenager babysitting. Now I have some and I think they are fabulous but I do NOT enjoy playing with them. Cuddling? YES, please! But not playing. I have spent the last month on the couch or in bed waiting for my insurance to kick in on July 1 so I can get some testing done for what is very likely fibromyalgia or MS. The thought that I may not feel good enough to play with my kids somedays is scary and has made me realize, "If this turns out to be something I can recover from quickly I have GOT to take advantage of these few precious years and enjoy these little darlings" I WANT to join 31 days of play! Thanks for the idea. I'll be back to see what is in store for us!

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    1. Sarah, I am just like you in that I have never enjoyed playing with my kids. Yes, I love to snuggle on the couch and read to them, but to play with blocks or dress up with them has never excited me. I need to do these things though, for them and for me. I hope you will join me in the challenge to play with our kiddos and I am praying for your health.

      Blessings to you,
      Keri

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  4. I love this idea! My girls a little bit older, but it will be interesting to see what we come up with to do!

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  5. But I'm sure your girls still like to "play" with their Mama, just maybe in a different way. Some of the ideas I will present could be used with older children, too.

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  6. We must be on the same mission! Just today I blogged about the gift of play over at my blog, The Overflow! (www.aliciabruxvoort.net). I'm learning after 14 years of motherhood that the purpose of play isn't just to fill time but to redeem it! You have a wise mom. So fun to meet you today :) (Hopping over from Better Mom link up)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Alicia. I loved your post on playing with your kids. It was very thought provoking! I really do need to change my attitude toward play because it's the perfect opportunity, as you say, to draw closer to God.

      Blessings to you!

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  7. Great post and a wonderful encouragement for us to play with our kids. We must redeem the time and make the most of these little years. I know my middle son just beams if I "play" with him for just a few minutes. How wonderful to purpose to play with our littles.
    So nice to meet you today! Thanks for stopping by ourcultivatedlife!

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    1. You are welcome, Heather. I love your website.

      I hope you will join in the challenge to play more with our kids.

      Blessings!

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  8. Holed up in my room with a book - sounds just like me! Sign me up for playing with my kids for 31 days! I'm looking forward to it!

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  9. I can relate! I was always in my room reading too:) I love this idea and look forward to seeing the activities! So glad I stopped by today. Blessings to you and yours!

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    1. Thanks, Christina. It's nice to know I'm not the only bookworm! Glad you stopped by!

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  10. What a wise mother you have! Like you, I am not very good in the 'play' category. And many behavior difficulties are solved if I get in there and play WITH my kiddos. Looking forward to your July series!

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    1. Yes, my mom is quite the gem.

      I agree. When I play with my kids, they are kinder to each other. It's like they want to please me because mama never plays with them.

      Thanks for commenting.

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  11. Sounds great! I was a bookworm as a child as well...

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