Get a little messy.

Today we woke up feeling like getting a little messy. So, out came the shaving cream... nothing is better than shaving cream because it's a quick and easy clean up.  Young kiddos are using all their senses to learn and explore their world and rubbing things through their fingers is part of it. So get MESSY!

Idea: spray some shaving cream on both sides of the window- then each of you take one side of the window and mimic whatever your child is doing! It promotes a lot of giggles and they love feeling watched and connected that way. 

Draw or write a love notr to each other as well. 

Great way to connect with one another. 

WARNING: this is SUPPOSED to be messy. Let go and allow it to happen. 

xoxo- besitos,

 

Tears can HEAL.

How is it that kids can go from this:

to this?

And in a matter of seconds?

Answer: Kids carry around BIG emotions for their LITTLE bodies. 

Have you noticed that our first instinct when hearing a child or toddler cry is to try to quickly get them to stop.  Of course if they are crying because they are hungry, wet, or tired we meet their physical needs...but what about the rest of the time... crying because of their emotional frustrations? 

We often feel frustrated ourselves when we can't seem to get them to be quiet (especially in public)... like as if we stop them from crying then they all of a sudden will rid themselves of the feelings they were feeling before. 

Just like adults, children also let out their frustrations, sadness, feelings of powerlessness, and isolation with tears. Tears are healing. Let me say that again: Tears are healing.

Tears can be a great opportunity to strengthen connection with your child. If you cut them short or immediately hand them to someone else- you are missing out on a moment where you can just hold and reconnect with one another. 

Try it: instead of automatically trying to "shut up" your child when they begin to cry... try using that opportunity to be present and just be with them while they experience their feelings. 

Sometimes that's all a person wants is to be heard and to reconnect. Try it.

xoxo,