I was at an all day training meeting last week, where the video of Mr. Fred Rogers receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award was shown – and it was quite a touching tribute. With his simple and approachable demeanor, every child learned from him that they are special in their own way. And this certainly makes me reflect on how I can be the best parent to my children. As Mr. Rogers says, everyone has someone “who loved them into being.”
As an aside, think of this story that was shared at this meeting I attended. It was the story of a Dad, who left before his kids were up in the morning, but tried to be home by 6:30 – so he had 3 hours with his children before they went to bed. But that 3 hours typically lent itself to reading the paper, checking his blackberry and doing other things around the house – not fully engaged focus on his children. One evening he got caught up at work, and wasn’t able to get home until 9 – thirty minutes before his children’s bed time. He decided that he would not even change out of his work clothes when he walked in – he just immediately got on the floor and started playing and wrestling with his kids and then took them upstairs for some books. As he was saying good night and closing the door, his child said: ”Daddy, can you come home at 9:00 more often?”
Makes you think, doesn’t it?
4-8-2009 07:31:43
To tie in yesterday’s “tail” and since I don’t have children: Gabby is my first pet and the best advice that a friend gave to me was that as soon as I come home from work, I should spend those first 15 minutes just playing with her.
It all makes sense, whether it’s a child, an adult, a pet, your work, your hobby…undivided attention with your listening ears on – you can’t go wrong.