Sometimes we get caught up in complaining that our children are not responding to us when we would like them to. We think they are dawdling, or taking their “sweet time,” or “dragging their feet” or just being “selfish.”
Here’s the thing though, how long does it take for us to respond to a request from our children? I know sometimes I am caught up with a sibling or cooking, reading a book or checking something on the computer and my child would like to play a game, read a book, go to the park or make a craft. Sometimes I ask my children to wait a minute or two so I can finish up a task or tend to a sibling’s need that came first.
Do you ever catch yourself saying “just another few minutes sweetie,” or “I’ll be right there,” and the “right there” turns into a five minute wait? Read about why both asking for flexibility – and being flexible when our kids ask it from us – are a good thing, at my post today at Natural Parents Network: “Mama, Please Wait!” The Benefits of Allowing Children to Ask for Flexibility.
Ariadne Brill
[…] them in stone. On this particular day, acknowledging that “forever” wish and offering a bit of flexibility really helped both me and my son keep our evening going well, and still be home at the right time […]