Connecting with Children: What I’m Trying Right Now
About a year ago, I went through a Therapeutic Assessment process and learned that the start-up phase of building a non-profit organization and school was incredibly traumatic for me. I made a commitment to a “Year of Healing.” The year included letting myself watch Netflix whenever I wanted, napping whenever I had the urge, going to ongoing therapy, and visiting my girlfriends spontaneously one weekend in Virginia. I realized, though, that I didn’t prioritizing thinking about what kind of healing my children might need. They, too, experienced the stress of me being stressed for six years. This realization has led me to thinking about connecting with children and what I can do to help my children heal.
I’m not the best at connecting with my children. I like to spend my time doing very non-kid friendly things: writing, reading, planning vacations, learning new hobbies (like podcasting). Pokemon, legos, and nerf guns are not really my thing!
I think that one of the reasons I like vacations so much is because my children and I really enjoy them together. We love exploring new places. But our everyday life does not feel like a vacation! I’m wondering what kinds of things I would really enjoy with my children.
Connecting with Children: Board Games
I need to find more board games that I enjoy playing with my children. I really like playing games! Here are some ideas:
Art Classes
I really like to create, so it might be fun to do an art class together. It looks like this shop in Austin has walk-in art experiences (like metal stamping, glass fusing, etc.). This place might have adult/child pottery classes. I would like to do more pottery!
Documentaries
We’ve been having fun watching documentaries together. We’ve really liked watching the Life series from BBC.
Connecting with Children: Volunteering
We have Family Goals to volunteer together several times a year. However, I recently realized that it might be fun to take Henry on his own. We are going to try it this month and see how it goes.
Video Games
Matt and I have been thinking about getting a Nintendo Switch. I liked playing video games when I was younger, and I know that Henry would love this!
What ideas do you have that make connecting with children fun? Please share!
7 Comments
Sarah Markowitz
Board games have been a good way for our family to connect. My kids (ages 8 and 6) enjoy Connect Four, Dog Gone It, Ice Cool, and Race to the Treasure. Race to the Treasure is my favorite, as it involves minor strategy, is cooperative, quick, and different each time.
Mary B
We love Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Cattan (both have Junior versions, in case you need something simpler). Uno, Bananagrams, Set, and Spot It are also favourite travel games, and the makers of Spot It have a story game called Tell Tale that looks fun. My daughter is also into more complex games like Concept, Boss Monster, Ninja Burger, and Munchkin. Check out a specialty shop for other suggestions beyond the traditional games, because Monopoly gets real tiresome after a few rounds.
Sara Cotner
So many good ideas! Thank you, Mary!
Sara Cotner
Same exact ages! I’ll definitely check into Race to the Treasure. I like games with strategy! (although, I am strangely into Candy Land and I have no idea why.)
Michelle Jasso
Hey Sara–My boys (ages 7 & 4) love board games and card games, and they’re definitely a way we connect as a family. Their favorite is a card game called Sleeping Queens, which we basically carry with us at all times. We’ve played it with older cousins and given it as a gift repeatedly, and everyone seems to really enjoy it. It’s quick & easy to learn, with just enough strategy not to bore adults and sneaks in mental math, too.
Exploding Kittens also makes us laugh every time we play it. There’s a Star Wars card game, called “I’ve Got a Bad Feeling About This,” that’s similar and also fun for Star Wars fans.
And we’ve gotten strangely into Pokemon Go, which might be fun if your kiddos are into Pokemon. I have no real interest in the cards, but it is fun to go on a walk, spin some Pokestops, and catch some Pokemon with the boys.
Sara Cotner
These sound so great, Michelle! I love games with a little strategy and mental math.
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