Have
you noticed that kids love it when their parents act spontaneously? It is exhilarating
to let go of the routine, forego the rules, and just play together. The problem
is…I can’t do it! I must be completely lacking in the spontaneous gene because,
even if I could let go of MY PLAN (which I can’t!), I couldn’t think of a
spontaneous action if my life depended on it.
So
I cheat in this department. I plan ahead for moments that I can make seem
spontaneous. I buy a kite and store it in the trunk of my car. Then I watch the
weather for a windy day so that I can pick up the kids at school and
“spontaneously” announce, “Let’s be crazy and go fly a kite today!” All the
kids cheer as I wink and nod knowingly to myself in the rearview mirror. What a
fun Mom I am! The amazing thing is that if I had made this announcement at
family council, “Let’s go fly a kite on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.” my plan would
have resulted in grumbles of disapproval and disinterested stares. Trust me, I
have tried this approach. There is something about flinging it on kids
spontaneously that makes the idea wildly popular.
If
you are the predictable, day-planner type, (you know who you are) give planned
spontaneity a try. Next time you are folding a mountain of socks into neat
little balls, don’t put them away. Instead, sneak the laundry basket behind the
couch. Then when Dad is pulling into the driveway, “spontaneously” gather all
the kids behind the sofa for an impromptu sock
war as soon as Dad enters the house. You won’t need to give Dad a heads up.
He will jump right into the action, grabbing up socks and pelting them back at
his giggling and screaming offspring. You will just smile, knowing that you had
planned this spontaneous moment of family fun all along!
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So true that kids love spontaneity! And I like your idea of planned spontaneity bc not everyone is naturally good at that.
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