Precious Conversations

I’ve had some pretty amusing conversations with children lately. I ask “How’s school going?” And I get the typical response, “Good!” I say, “Really?” And they nod. To which I say, “Wow, that’s great. I’ve found that it’s been kind of a hard season. It’s cold and we’re so ready for spring. Easy to get a little grouchy. It’s been hard.” Then they smile or laugh and I get a big nod of agreement.

We all carry default answers in life and sometimes it’s simply the nuances of social interactions. As parents, it’s important for us to be self-aware of our own defaults; and also to find creative ways to lead our kids through their defaults into deeper thoughts and connection in our relationship. I encourage you to pause and make a point to share a little deeper with your children. Be curious. Make an observation. Ask another question. Ask how they think or feel about a situation. Share from your own day and experiences.

Also, be aware of the timing and place of those conversations. Sometimes we have the best of intentions, but right after school is rarely the time your kids want to talk about it. They want and need to decompress just like you do after your day. Notice when your kids tend to be most open to talking. Note where they tend to share. I’ve found car rides can be great spaces because distractions are limited. Another good time can be after a big time of play and expended energy or in the kitchen when you are cooking together.

What we make important is important. Let’s make sure we don’t miss the precious conversations along the way of reminding them to pick up toys and brush their teeth.

For the King and His Kids,
Becky