Connected Parenting :: Embracing Your Child’s Interest

Connected Parenting :: Embracing Your Child’s Interest

I am the daughter of a single mother of four. My mom was constantly at work which is understandable since she had four children to care for. I cannot recall a time that my mother played with us. She’d frequently send me and my siblings outside to play, and it didn’t bother us one bit. Fast forward to the present and I am now a mother. My husband and I are the proud parents of two amazing children. We have an incredibly outgoing 9-year-old son, and a 8-year-old daughter who is reserved and cautious.

My children have very different interest which has always made playtime interesting.

My son is simple; he loves gaming and Pokémon. I grew up gaming and watching Pokémon with my brothers, so it’s always been easy to join him during playtime. He and I will catch Pokémon together, which I didn’t care for initially, but now I enjoy it as much as he does. We play Mario Bros on the Nintendo Switch, which is also fun and brings me back to my childhood.

My daughter, on the other hand, is very artsy, something I am not. I despise crafting, which, of course, is why she loves it. She’ll sit in her room or at the kitchen table and create, paint, and play with her dolls for hours. Enjoying play time with her is difficult for me because I am not good at crafting, and I didn’t grow up playing with dolls. But I buy her all the crafting supplies her heart desires, and I sit and craft with her often.

I’ve come to learn that it doesn’t matter what I like or dislike or how good I am at crafting or gaming.

What matters most to them is that I am playing with them.

I am creating moments and memories that’ll stick with them for life. My daughter won’t remember how bad my craft came out; she’ll remember the times that mom played with her. My son won’t remember that I didn’t collect all the stars in that Mario level; but he’ll remember that I gamed with him. It’s about the quality of time that we share with our children that they’ll remember.

So, when it’s playtime with your kids, meet them where they are. I know it’s easy to want them to like what you like, but it’s also important for us to show interest in what they enjoy. Who knows you may end up loving what they’ve introduced you to.

What do your children enjoy doing for playtime? Will you be joining them next time?