Just Sit and Listen

This week has been a limited screen time week for the three minors in our house.  After a week of being sick and having the ability to do nothing besides sleep, feel lousy and watch TV or Netflix they needed to re-engage their brains through some creative activity. 



The limited screen time resulted in a wonderful treat after dinner the other day. I had some Valentine cards to fold and finish for Bird and The Sharp Shooter so I sat down and started cutting brightly colored strings. First, Bird showed up.  She started talking.  I kept cutting strings. Next, The Sharp Shooter showed up. I separated my 30 brightly colored strings into sets of three.  As I began tying the knots for friendship bracelets the Sharp Shooter started talking too. Finally, The Alpha showed up. In her usual fashion she was full of questions and force and passion and opinion but Bird and The Sharp Shooter continued their conversation without missing a beat. I started folding Valentine's into paper airplanes. Eventually, The Alpha cut her own strings to make her own braided creation. I just sat and worked and listened. Answering questions when it was necessary but mostly just listening. There was that moment of quiet awareness that says, "Hey, pay attention to this. It's a moment." These three children, 11, 8 and 7 years old, were tackling some serious topics while music played from my iPhone and their hands worked.

When was the last time you just sat and listened to the words your children speak, paused long enough to really hear the words they speak?  Those children, they'll surprise you if you give them the chance.

Keep chasing perfection, people. Eventually we are going to Catch Excellence.

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