Make it fun, for crying out loud!
I am becoming more honest with myself about how frustrated I have been with my Life.
It is actually refreshing to feel those feelings and let them go, rather than push them away, and keep on marching up victory hill.
As an educator and a parent I am reminded, time and time again, that games are the best way to learn.
Whether it is time to clean up a mess, or time to go out to eat, as soon as it becomes fun, the ease of the operation flows.
Suddenly everyone becomes willing to participate, and the tone of the conversation changes completely.
I have seen it with my students, including some that have been labeled as particularly troubled, and I have seen it with my son.
Here is the trick.
It is not about whether or not they are having fun.
It is all about whether or not I am having fun!
So take parenting and make it a game.
Take learning social skills and make it a game.
Take listening to your children when they are upset and make it a game.
The other day I wanted to go hiking with my son and I had one “special” place in mind.
To my surprise, he actually wanted to go hiking!
But wait…
He wanted to go somewhere else.
Immediately the Big Baby in me came rushing forward and needed to stomp his feet and complain about how I wanted to go to my “special” place.
I had to admit that my son’s idea just did not sound fun to me at that minute.
So I caught myself, and told my son that I was just going to call the plans off for now because I had nothing positive to say.
He understood completely and went back to Lego building.
I laid on the sofa and talked myself down into a better feeling place.
I thought about what I really wanted out of this experience.
I focused on being outside with my son and recognized that I would enjoy that time no matter where we went.
So, I took a deep breath and approached my son again.
This time I said I was willing to go to his chosen spot, or we could just walk around the block.
He smiled and came up with an even better idea…
We could take our cat for a walk around the block!
Remarkably, we all had fun.
After our walk, my son went to his room for more Lego building and I sat down to play some music.
Two and a half hours later we both emerged from our creative caves with satisfied looks on our faces.
Most of the time, I have to let go of my expectations in order to tap into the genius, or the fun option, of the moment.
It is so worth it!
For more great cartoons and inspiration from Darrell Fusaro, just click on the link: www.DarrellFusaro.com
