Q&A: New Activities & Time Management

Question from a Mama: I want to expose my kids to lots of new things like lessons, sports, other extra curricular. I don’t feel like there’s enough time! How do people fit it in without sacrificing time to connect or the child’s sleep?

My thoughts:

Oh dear Mama, I hear you loud and clear. You want to help your growing people to have all sorts of experiences and you feel like there’s not enough time. I understand your dilemma and I have some thoughts.

First, slow it all waaaaaayyyyyy down. Just take a big deep breath, and another, and one more. Time is relative. If you believe there’s not enough time, you will continue to feel like there’s not enough time. If you believe there’s plenty of time, you’ll start to feel like there’s plenty of time. Trust me, everything starts with our perspective on it so, first, start by changing the story you’ve been telling yourself.

Second, approach this as a fun adventure. Remember that you GET TO expose them to cool stuff. Let go of the idea that somehow you’re going to “miss a critical window” or “fail them in some way.” That fear is not serving anyone or anything. Shift your perspective and see this as “on going opportunities to learn new things, deepen your connections and help your growing people find their bliss.”

Make a list of the things you want to show them, things that you find exciting and then find ways to explore those activities. For example, if you value art, plan a day or afternoon or hour at a local museum. If your growing people (or you, for that matter) feel inspired to create some art, get some new art supplies and sit down and do art together. If it’s a sport you want to expose them to, go watch a college or professional game one evening and then go to the park and play that game for a while to see if something gets sparked. Use this as a way to connect, have fun and enjoy your time with your growing people. The more fun you have exposing them to new things the more they are going to enjoy those things.

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Third, trust that your growing people are on their very own journeys and that they will find the things they are here to explore. Yes, you get to expose them to things, however, you don’t have to be worried that you are going to miss the boat. Be curious about your growing people. Watch, listen, observe and notice what sparks their joy. Ask them what they love. Be open to trying things with them. Be open to creating experiences that seem fun and fulfilling for all of you. Go for the joy. You can’t go wrong if you go for the joy!

Finally, model being interested in learning new things. Take the focus off of them and decide that you are going to explore new activities, ideas, hobbies, sports, etc. Make your own list and show them that this is something you value.

There’s nothing you can say that speaks louder than how you are being. If you hope that they will find their passions and follow their bliss, you can up the chances greatly if you are modeling it for them.

Be inspired and inspiring. It’s more than enough.

Love,

Carrie