Funnest and Baddest

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

In the past I have asked my children at dinner time what was the best and worst part of their day. I always got various answers but not great conversation and heard more whining over who was talking first than anything. I recently read about those (ungrammatical) words in the title in an email from Diane Hopkins from Love to Learn. Diane posted that she asked her children what was the funnest and baddest part of their day at bed time each night all through their childhoods. So I thought I'd try it this way.

For whatever reason, the kids seem to grasp the question better using funnest and baddest. These words are more understandable for a little child. Every time I ask, they have been able to answer quickly and with great excitement. The best part is that I get to connect with each one individually every night even if it's only for a few minutes. They don't have to compete for my attention as at the table or talk over each other. They have my full attention for a few minutes and they love it. They are sharing things with me that i wouldn't have thought made them happy or even sad. I love getting another opportunity to tap into their little minds and hearts.

One night I was getting frustrated because getting in bed was dragging on longer than I wanted it to. I didn't really feel like spending the extra few minutes with each one because i just wanted them to hurry up and get to sleep. I choose to deny my selfish flesh and ask the questions anyway. Amazingly, I left their room feeling calm and peaceful and had forgotten all of my frustrations by just giving them a little bit of my time.

Tonight as I put the boys to bed, Cody was quick to ask me first what my funnest part of the day was before I could ask him. The smile on his face and the joy in his heart was priceless! It's amazing how a little effort on our part can fill their hearts.

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PS-Claire is really asleep in the picture above. She was so tired after a fun day out on the water slide that she couldn't even stay awake long enough to finish brushing her teeth. One time she fell asleep in my mom's arms while eating a corn dog. Whenever she stirred, she would keep eating the corn dog, then fall asleep again. It was hillarious. Childhood is Precious!