October 15, 2009

I need to schedule a play date with my kids

I was going to start this post with a laundry list of stuff that keeps me up at night, including my 13 point home improvement to-do list that my husband wants to light on fire.
But then I deleted it realizing that all of you have your own such lists you use to justify the tightening in your chests and brain twirling routine going on in your heads.
Don’t you?

Here’s the thing. Fall is my favorite season. I love everything about it.

But this Fall I’ve put a few too many entrees on my proverbial plate. It’s all good stuff, just a whacked-out sense of portion size.

Consequently, I haven’t saved room for the desserts I love. I haven’t read my favorite Halloween book to Truman (The Runaway Pumpkin), I haven’t found time to get to the pumpkin patch, I still haven’t put up all the spooky decorations and we’ve, they’ve only played in the leaves once. But I managed to completely blame that on our uber-efficient lawn service.
I clearly need to step away from the all-you-can-eat buffet. I NEED to go play.

The hypocritical part is that I believe in play. Deeply. In fact one of my all-time favorite parenting books is The Power of Play by David Elkind. In it he makes a very compelling case for why play is vital in the lives of children… and adults. It’s just necessary for a person’s over-all well being. I recommend it highly…he’s a smart man.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been out and about a lot lately doing all sorts of fun grown up things. But playing the way my kids play is what I’m missing. I didn’t realize what was really gnawing at me until I went to organize my pictures in iphoto this morning.
I came across this picture and it gave me great pause. This is how I want to play. Unstructured, creatively, full-out and unabashed.

A few weeks ago my little G.I. Joes had asked for a cardboard box, some tape and a rake, and then disappeared into the backyard. The result was a spy fort complete with hidden compartments and a lengthy dissertation on it’s special features. And they were just so darned happy.

That’s what I’m talking about. Play. Real play.
I need to have my kids help me remember how. I need to get myself on their play date schedule…while they still think I’m cool. I need me some play a’ la mode.

Anybody else feel like they need a play date?