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“You know, it’s important to play with your children, too,” said a more experienced mom to me when I was much younger. “Healthy meals, a clean home, and all that stuff is important, but you have to play with your children, too. They’re waiting for you.”
It was sound advice, but I really had no clue how to actually do it. I knew how to take them to the playground, how to go for walks, and how to set them up with educational toys. But play? I hadn’t even been good at that when I was a child!
When I was in grade school and it was time to go out to the playground for recess, I would go to the library and read a book. I’d always loved to read, but I was also afraid of being turned away by the other kids. I just couldn’t handle them telling me they didn’t want to play with me, so I stopped going out and asking.
It’s funny; I can remember still the crushing disappointment when I asked for a friend to play with me and they were too busy, or just wanted to play something I wasn’t any good at. When I put myself out there and asked for them to play with me, I was really asking if I mattered enough to play with. And every time I heard “no”, it broke my heart.
Mommy, Will You Play With Me?
“Mommy, can you play with me?”“Mommy, will you color with me?”“Mommy, watch!”“Mommy, want to dance?”“Mommy, let’s go for a walk!”
“Sorry, honey, Mommy has to finish cleaning.”“Okay, sweetie, I’ll take a quick break. I’ve only got a few minutes though.”“Maybe in a little bit; I’m trying to finish up.”“I can’t right now; I need to wash the dishes.”“Oh, baby, I’d love to but the laundry is backed up and I have to get to it.”“How about we do that tomorrow?”
Hear What Their Hearts Are Saying
When I prayed, the Holy Spirit invited me on a journey to hear what their hearts were really asking me.
“Mommy, will you spend time with me?”“Mommy, am I a priority in your life?”“Mommy, I feel insecure right now; will you spend some time affirming your love for me?”“Mommy, I need a friend. Will you like me?”“Mommy, am I special?”“Mommy, do you enjoy being my mommy?”“Mommy, will you invest your time in my life or are you just passing time until I grow up?”“Mommy, will you lay a foundation in my life nowso that when things get tougher we’ll have something to stand on?”
Children Don’t Stop Growing
Precious Mama, Play With Your Children
12 comments
What a beautiful post! I am so thankful that God is never to busy for me!
It is hard to find that balance between what needs to be done at home (like meals, dishes, laundry) and the needs of our children.
It’s hard because we are in the business of making a home for them in the physical sense, as well as making a “home” for them in the security sense!
My children are 18 and 22, and when my oldest comes home for a visit from college I pretty much drop everything if he wants to go somewhere together, as he isn’t home very often.
My 18 year old doesn’t like to go out much, but sometimes he’ll ask me to watch a t.v. show with him or something.
It’s still important to “play” when they’re older, lol! Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
WOW>>VERY Convicting…I needed this thank you for sharing!
This is such a deep and wonderful post! There is so much truth in these words and thoughts – what a blessing!
Rachel and Dawn, thanks for reading. I know this is a hard thing for all moms, but lately it has been my personal battle each day and I am so determined to realign my priorities!
Lisa Grace, thank you for this lovely, gentle reminder! It is so easy to get so consumed with the tasks of the day that we overlook the truly important things in life! Your post has reminded me of a sweet quote that I often use to remind myself of this very truth!
Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’til tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs! Dust, go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep!
-Ruth Hamilton
Oh wow. This really hit home with me. I don’t know how many times I say “just a minute” or “not right now.” And that’s not what my kids need to hear.
Oh my goodness, this post really hit me. I have kids from the age of 2 to 11, and they never stop needing my attention. I am guilty of using the same excuses. Thank you for sharing this!!!
What an amazing post. My oldest son is a junior in high school and I am still shocked at how fast time has flown by. It seems like it was just yestarday that he was asking me to play. His questions may have changed, but what he is trying to tell me, has stayed the same.
Oh Lisa, my heart twists as I read this because I know it’s me. *cry* Oh my, thank you friend for speaking (writing) the tough words our mom hearts need to hear.
God is giving me such a vision and people keep confirming it over and over again. Thank you. *Hugs*
Christin
Joyful Mothering
[…] ugly things have been creeping back in and I didn’t even realize it. Two years later, I wrote my own blog post — inspired largely by what was in my prayer journal at the time. I wrote it for me […]
So true! Convicting – even for a granparent!
[…] door open and peeked in and there he was, snuggling our son. I’ve learned to play with my kids. Let me tell you, if you need to learn to enjoy your children, playing with them is a great way to […]