…the fiber construct
Last month I found myself questioning, re-evaluating, and re-inventing my ideas on LIFE. Maybe not so much re-inventing…more like revising them. In doing so I realized how important every little experience in life is. Every single one, regardless of how significant or unimportant it might seem at the time. All are interweaved - every fiber equally important, every fiber part of a whole, every experience being cradled in the construct of all others. Exposing your children to controlled positive experiences is essential to how colorful and vibrant the fabric of their character will become. Help your little ones find the beauty in something ugly, the strength in being weak,the mystery in the ordinary, and the hope in despair. Wow! …so how do we do that?!
Well, it is the everyday little things you do with your kids that start shaping them into physically and emotionally healthy beings. I will give you some examples of what i think is important.
1. Get outside and take a walk with your kids everyday! Especially if they are young - It does not matter how far they can walk initially, they will be able to walk a little further everyday. There is so much mystery outside - so much to explain to them. Make it fun and educational by teaching them about everything they encounter OR the little things that they walk by with out noticing. Have them read the letters on the mailboxes, look left and right before crossing the street, have them point out certain shapes and colors, get to know the neighborhood and neighbors, collect rocks, acorns, buckeyes, and other fun things to take home and make something with. There is always an adventure to find outside!
On a side note, look at some of the health benefits too. Being outside and walking burns calories, and is a good routine for your children to develop and continue the rest of their life. Being outside also helps your little ones create vitamin D, which is important for a strong bone development.
2. Setting them up for failure and teaching them to rise above it. This sounds kind of cruel - hahaha, but it really is not! It is important for kids to know how to deal with failure or an unpleasant experience, and rise above it. It is also important for them to know that "We" are here for them, and that they can trust our advice and support. Creating these situations from a very early age on and teaching them how to get through them, builds their confidence and helps them look at experiences differently. Here is an example:
Scenario 1
Kid A tries to do a summersault and fails…the other kids around kid A laugh at her. How does kid A deal with it? Probably some hurt feelings and no more attempts at a summersault (at least in front of other kids). Kid A might not want to be around those other kids anymore, because they made her feel embarrassed. Kid A might not confide in her parents either. So, this is a negative experience that will be weaved in with all the others.
Scenario 2
Kid J tries to do a summersault and fails…the other kids around kid J laugh at her. How does kid J deal with it? Kid J keeps trying regardless of the other kids laughing. Kid J will keep trying and tho she might not be able to do it, she still plays with the other kids. Kid J knows that there are things that she won't be able to do first try, and she also knows that not everyone is always going to play nice. Her feelings were hurt also, but she walks away knowing she kept trying and did not let anyone discourage her. She also comes home and tells her dad what happened and creates the opportunity for her family to emotionally support her and also practice summersaults together. This experience altho starting off negative, has turned into a great one, bringing the family together and building trust in one another.
I guess the hard part to raising our kids is coming up with some type of fundamental IDEA of what we are made up of as human beings. Once we figure that out, we can start thinking about what it takes to create one strong vibrant fiber, on at a time. Of course that is just the beginning, because we somehow have to figure out how to weave it all together and make sure it does not unravel at the edges over time. The best way to do that is to weave our fibers around the edges… I'm still trying to figure it all out - but it all seems to be working for now. Time will tell…
until next week! Happy adventures on your walks!
2. Setting them up for failure and teaching them to rise above it. This sounds kind of cruel - hahaha, but it really is not! It is important for kids to know how to deal with failure or an unpleasant experience, and rise above it. It is also important for them to know that "We" are here for them, and that they can trust our advice and support. Creating these situations from a very early age on and teaching them how to get through them, builds their confidence and helps them look at experiences differently. Here is an example:
Scenario 1
Kid A tries to do a summersault and fails…the other kids around kid A laugh at her. How does kid A deal with it? Probably some hurt feelings and no more attempts at a summersault (at least in front of other kids). Kid A might not want to be around those other kids anymore, because they made her feel embarrassed. Kid A might not confide in her parents either. So, this is a negative experience that will be weaved in with all the others.
Scenario 2
Kid J tries to do a summersault and fails…the other kids around kid J laugh at her. How does kid J deal with it? Kid J keeps trying regardless of the other kids laughing. Kid J will keep trying and tho she might not be able to do it, she still plays with the other kids. Kid J knows that there are things that she won't be able to do first try, and she also knows that not everyone is always going to play nice. Her feelings were hurt also, but she walks away knowing she kept trying and did not let anyone discourage her. She also comes home and tells her dad what happened and creates the opportunity for her family to emotionally support her and also practice summersaults together. This experience altho starting off negative, has turned into a great one, bringing the family together and building trust in one another.
I guess the hard part to raising our kids is coming up with some type of fundamental IDEA of what we are made up of as human beings. Once we figure that out, we can start thinking about what it takes to create one strong vibrant fiber, on at a time. Of course that is just the beginning, because we somehow have to figure out how to weave it all together and make sure it does not unravel at the edges over time. The best way to do that is to weave our fibers around the edges… I'm still trying to figure it all out - but it all seems to be working for now. Time will tell…
until next week! Happy adventures on your walks!
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