Over the last few weeks I have found myself on the floor with my children a lot more. When they were little I was on the floor constantly. Truly, I fed them on the floor, changed them on the floor, played with them on the floor. Yet, as they became mobile, I found myself upright again--it was easier to chase them on my feet.
A month or so ago, I realized I was only getting on their level to address behavior problems. One day it struck me that I was living in a world 2 feet above theirs. When they were naughty, I would stoop down to get eye to eye with them and it seemed to get their attention. Why wasn't I on their level more to reinforce good behavior? What impact might it have on our relationship for me to enter their world a little more?
So, for the last few weeks, I have found myself on the floor again. Playing, tickling, talking...often times just sitting, making myself available to them. They don't have to reach up for me as often, they just look me in the eye.
The result of this intentionality has been remarkable. There's been much more conversation, a lot more involving me in their play, more time in my lap...and the increased spontaneous affection (especially from K) has been a reward. My relationship with each of them has been enhanced.
A couple of days ago as I was reflecting on what a difference this was making, I thought of Christ coming into "our world" as a man. God came down to our level...not just to address our naughtiness, but to love us and commune with us. What a blessing to serve a God who stooped down into our world, who makes Himself available and who desires relationship with us!
That will definitely be atop my list of things for which I am grateful Thursday!
20 comments:
Oh I like this! Thanks...that is very good. A great idea I need to try out for awhile.
Enjoy your kids while they are little - my oldest left for the Air Force and I'd kill to have him back in my arms.
Love your blog - glad I stumbled on in!
Hallie
http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/
What a beautiful analogy. Thank you for sharing this - I really needed to hear it today.
Love the correlation you made. Great insight, jmom.
Mine always listen better when I am down on their level. Cherish these days when you have to get on your knees to reach them. Before you know it, they will be almost eye-level with you. My oldest is already there and it is totally freaking me out!
What a lovely, thoughtful post. This is perfectly timed for me this morning.
I can't wait to try this with my kids today!
I LOVED the perspective of putting Christ into this scenario. I have been just truly reflecting on His unconditional love and am so grateful that God asked Jesus to "stoop" down to our level.
Just out of curiousity have you noticed a change in the children's behavior since you have been more at their eye level?
Wonderful! thanks for sharing this.
I have a three year old as well and tend to do the exact same thing with her. I am glad I read your blog today.
By the way your entire blog is amazing. You are truley blessed to be able to write the way you do and make sense. I wish I could be blessed like that. You have a wonderful gift.
I love those moments when we can see what an impact the little things we do make on our children's lives.
I was blessed with one of those moments Sunday. I posted on it yesterday.
Profoundly beautiful.
Beautiful.
blessings,
steph.
Beautiful.
It is so much fun playing in the floor with them! Mine love playing on our the bed, too. My 16 month old will say, "bee" for the bed as soons as her daddy picks her up in the evenings. Sweetness!
What a great comparison and great reminder for me to get down on my little one's level. Very powerful!
Beautifully written... a great reminder of both God's love for us and our children's need for us to do the same. I'll be trying that as soon as my little ones wake tomorrow. Thanks!
I always enjoy your perspective on things like this. You are such an encouragement to me. Thanks. And the pictures below, love them! Glad you all had some family time together.
Another lesson for me to remember in the upcoming years...
Great insight.
Thank you.
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