In section 10, Rachel talks about some some major roadblocks to connection with our children.
What do you dedicate most of your time to? Does it align with what you want to prioritise? Do your children feel like your priority? What distractions do you feel you could reduce or remove to better use your time?
When I think of roadblocks, I immediately think of technology. I feel like the advancement we have now in 2015, is WAY better than what I grew up on. My family had one computer that we had to share, that was SO slow, and we somehow all made it work.
Fast-forward to now, and Brielle uses my Samsung Note Tablet that she calls “hers” daily. I used to use this for a while to keep her distracted on all of the fun games I downloaded, but now she LOVES netflix and youtube. I can’t believe how my 2 year knows how to work the tablet better than me, at times!
Rachel asks us parents to answer some questions, which will allow us to take a better look at some problems that might exist, when it comes to connecting with our kids. Here is my response:
- Most of my time is dedicated to Brielle. I spend every moment I am not working with her, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. She is only this age once, and after everything we have been through, we know that Brielle would definitely benefit from having more time with us, rather than less.
- Yes, it aligns with what I am prioritizing. She is my biggest/highest priority, and if she is happy and content, then I am doing an “okay” job as a mom! Shane and I have always put our marriage first, and then children second, and we have Brielle pretty high up on both of our priority lists.
- Of course all of my children are my priority. Even Lamar and Rochelle in Heaven. I take time out each day to talk to them, say a prayer for them both, and just make sure that they know they are loved each and every day. Brielle knows that she can do everything that I am doing (whether it’s cooking, crafting, or taking pictures), and I will not turn down her willingness to be involved.
- I feel that removing her time from her tablet, and just having more one on one communication would benefit us both. She loves to talk, and I love to listen, so it seems like the perfect solution. I have also minimized the time she spends watching t.v, and since we now live out in the country, I like to occupy her time by going outside and experiencing the beauty of nature and all that it has to offer.
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