Planning

Sometimes inertia takes over and we spend a week or two having little interaction with each other or others. Before our camping trip we were bursting with creativity, adventure and starting a few routines that the kids were enjoying. After the camping trip it seemed easier to not strew or engage and just let the kids watch movies, swim and play video games. When I realize that we are getting grumpier and not enjoying this I try to find a way to get us back on track. Often it means I need to be proactive and strew, offer and get excited about my own projects.

I started to talk to them about things they would like to do and was getting nowhere. "Later, I want to watch a show." So I wrote "Eva" and "Elias" on my board and listed the things they like to do and a couple of plans we had on the calendar. This started a great discussion of interests and ideas. Elias and I purchased tickets to the King Tut exhibit, I found out Eva really likes the zoo, they asked to restart the smoothie/reading sessions. The things I brought up as ideas were often not commented on, but sparked others. I didn't write everything down, but was able to get a feel for the types of things they are in the mood to do. Hooray for creative discussion!