Playing
With
Your
Child
--
How
to
Start
It,
Why
It's
So
Important
In
these
busy
times,
when
parents
and
children
have
schedules
packed
to
the
max,
family
closeness
can
fall
by
the
wayside.
Most
of
us
have
to
make
an
effort
to
guarantee
that
work,
school,
sports,
and
chores
don't
swallow
up
the
very
relationships
that
make
those
things
important.
When
is
the
last
time
you
played
or
goofed
around
with
your
child?
Can
you
remember
back
that
far?
Many
parents
can't.
Life
has
made
us
so
serious,
so
focused,
that
we've
lost
the
joy
of
the
simple
things,
and
play
was
one
of
the
first
to
go.
But
as
any
child
instinctively
knows,
play
is
essential
to
life.
It
brightens
the
heart
and
lightens
the
spirit.
For
kids,
who
live
closer
than
we
do
to
nature,
play
is
as
spontaneous
as
breathing.
Sadly,
most
grown-ups
have
lost
that
skill.
Our
children
can
be
our
refresher
course.
Playing
with
your
child
brings
you
back
to
the
present,
reminds
you
of
what
matters,
and
slows
you
down
long
enough
to
smell
the
roses.
It
also
connects
you
emotionally
with
your
child,
rebuilding
the
closeness
that
the
fast-paced,
boring
routines
of
life
are
all
too
quick
to
strip
away.
Playing
together
is
even
more
important
for
your
child
than
it
is
for
you,
because
she
needs
to
feel
close
to
you
to
feel
loved
and
happy.
If
you've
neglected
time
together
for
long
enough,
it
may
appear
that
your
child
isn't
interested
in
your
attentions.
She
may
even
tell
you
as
much.
But
that's
just
bluster,
hiding
the
fear
that
you
will
disappoint
her
again
if
she
lets
herself
wish
for
time
alone
with
you.
If
you
initiate
playing
together,
and
do
it
at
frequent
intervals,
even
the
most
aloof
pre-teen
will
start
to
look
forward
to
it
and,
in
time,
throw
herself
into
the
fun.
What
kind
of
playing
should
you
do?
Pay
attention
to
the
activities
your
child
engages
in:
his
idea
of
enjoyment.
If
these
things
seem
boring
to
you,
try
hanging
out
nearby,
observing
as
he
does
them,
with
words
that
express
your
curiosity.
You
just
may
find
you
actually
develop
a
genuine
interest.
If
your
child
is a
couch
potato,
take
up
your
perch
on
the
couch
beside
him,
but
after
you're
allowed
"in,"
initiate
some
play
that
might
be
more
pleasant
than
TV.
Think
back
to
what
you
did
as a
child
that
was
memorable,
especially
activities
you
did
with
your
parents
that
stay
with
you
still.
Think
about
things
that
are
free
or
cost
little,
that
involve
experiencing
life
together.
Start
a
list
of
ideas
as
they
come,
and
add
any
of
the
following
that
you
resonate
with:
*
Raking
stacks
of
autumn
leaves,
then
jumping
or
rolling
in
them
*
Taking
a
hike
through
the
forest
preserve
*
Skating
at
the
roller
rink
together
*
Walking
the
dog,
taking
turns
with
the
rope
*
Reading
comics
or
joke
books
together
(or
books
of
poetry
or
stories)
*
Making
cookies,
pizza,
or a
cake
*
Building
a
fort
out
of
snow
or
chairs
and
blankets
*
Playing
hide
and
seek,
hide
the
thimble,
cards,
or
board
games
*
Lying
on a
blanket
looking
up
at
the
stars
*
Sitting
in
front
of
the
wood
stove
in a
dark
room,
telling
stories
*
Making
shadow
figures
on
the
wall
with
your
hands
and
a
flashlight
*
Having
a
treasure
hunt
*
Roasting
marshmallows
over
a
fire
*
Watching
a
parade
*
Going
to
the
aquarium,
zoo,
or
museum
*
Making
and
flying
kites
together
*
Building
something
*
Making
a
scrapbook
*
Making
up a
silly
poem
or
song
*
Watching
a
movie,
with
popcorn
and
no
interruptions
*
Playing
a
memory
game,
like
"I'm
going
to
Grandma's
house,
and
in
my
suitcase
I'm
going
to
pack..."
*
Getting
up
early
to
watch
the
sunrise
from
a
hill
*
Playing
games
of
pretend
*
Going
somewhere
special,
like
the
beach
*
Having
a
pancake
picnic
in
the
snow
Playing
together
is
different
than
finding
entertaining
activities
for
your
child.
Play
involves
you,
while
entertainment
excuses
you
from
the
picture.
If
you
find
yourself
saying,
"But
my
schedule
is
too
busy
for
any
of
the
things
on
that
list,"
consider
whether
your
schedule
needs
some
pruning.
After
all,
who's
going
to
remember
in
20
years
if
you
stay
late
at
work
or
not
next
Tuesday?
But
will
your
child
ever
forget
the
Tuesday
you
ride
the
rollercoaster
together?
Closeness
with
a
child
cannot
be
taken
for
granted.
Like
any
other
relationship,
it
will
slip
away
unless
it's
made
a
priority.
Nothing
builds
trust
and
bonding
with
a
child
like
sharing
a
moment
of
silliness
and
laughter.
Come
together
for
light-hearted
play,
and
you
just
may
find
your
child
opens
up
about
serious
subjects.
The
relaxed
atmosphere
of
play
helps
us
let
our
guard
down
and
reveal
more
of
ourselves.
When
you
play
together,
let
your
child
feel
like
the
most
important
person
in
your
world.
Give
him
your
undivided
attention:
no
cell
phones,
no
interruptions,
no
slipping
into
your
own
private
thoughts.
Be
present
--
body,
mind,
and
spirit.
Then
let
yourself
do
whatever
comes
naturally,
with
the
abandon
you
felt
when
you
yourself
were
a
child.
Your
instincts
will
be
your
guide.
Growing
closer
through
play
is
easy.
It
just
takes
dedicated
moments,
given
on a
fairly
regular
basis,
so
your
child
begins
to
count
on
having
time
with
you.
Let
your
child
re-teach
you
the
wonderful
secrets
of
play.
You
both
will
feel
more
secure
and
peaceful
--
and
a
whole
lot
happier,
as
the
reason
you
do
it
all
for,
starts
to
come
back
to
you.
About
the
Author:
Want
to
know
more
tips
for
raising
happy
children?
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Also
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new
"Go
for
Your
Goals"
for
kids
-- a
set
of
downloadable
e-books
that
guide
your
child
through
the
joyful
steps
of
learning
visualization,
goal
setting,
and
the
Law
of
Attraction.
Simple
language
enhanced
with
beautiful
illustrations
and
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To
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visit
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http://www.4LifeHappyKids.com
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