The weather in Ohio has finally started warming up and the kids ran outside to play in the backyard after church. After changing my clothes I heard one of my favorites sounds. Children's laughter. Coming from our backyard. I couldn't help myself...I went to the nearest window to spy on my children.
Normally, they don't play together well (at least for very long). Mr. B blames it on their age/gender difference. Usually someone says something to annoy the other and that is the end of their playing together. But not yesterday. As I watched from an upstairs window, I witnessed a miracle (OK, that might be a slight exaggeration, but to this Momma, it was a miraculous event). Mr. B and Miss Monkey were actually playing. Together. They were getting along. And having FUN. All without mom's urging.
It started out with Mr. B playing catcher to Miss Monky. Her windup was meticulous and she threw each pitch with all her might. Mr. B would catch it, cheer her on (or give her pitching pointers) and then throw a grounder back to her so she could do it again.
This cooperative play continued on for nearly a half hour. They switched from baseball, to lacrosse, to kickball and a few other games they concocted in between. All the while, they were laughing. And just enjoying being kids. Together.
Like most mothers, I constantly feel like a referee to their continual bickering. While not my favorite part of parenting (Oh, who am I kidding...it stinks), I've been trying to deal with this "challenge" with a positive approach. It's hard (REALLY hard), but I'm trying to set a positive example.
Today, as I witnessed my children having fun together, I was full of pride. And my heart smiled.
No comments:
Post a Comment