The Value of Parenting

Young children, particularly under the age of seven, are particularly drawn to imaginary play. In this day and age with the advent of technology through hand-held game devices and internet options, parents of young children are faced with a multitude of choices when it comes to educating and entertaining young minds. Too often we believe that the quality of our children's experiences is somehow tied to a price tag. It is difficult to see beyond the five-year old child who plays with an i-touch in their spare time when I myself do not even own an i-pod device. There are times when I find myself in the waiting room of my daughter's gymnastics team or the appointments at my son's orthodontist and am quite surprised by the number of technological devices that are purchased and used to stifle children. And, yes I bear the guilty mark of turning on the television now and then for a few "quiet moments to myself" when I'd like my four-year old to settle down for the day. It is through my daily experiences and observations that I have come to ask myself the question, "Are we, am I, really doing these children a favor by giving them expensive toys that limit activity, decrease family interactions, and by and large create solitary worlds?" The answer is clear. No, these are tools of our time that we now use on a daily basis to somehow "get through the day." Recently over the past few weeks I have made a concerted effort to put the DVDs back in the cabinet and get back to imaginary play with my children. I have been amazed at the response from my youngest daughter, who is almost five, in particular. She can literally play in the world of make-believe for hours on end. It doesn't cost me a dime. We are creating memories that she will live with forever...memories that won't wind up in the dumpster when the toy breaks or the batteries run low. With parenting, we have to remember that we are the ultimate resource for our children. So often we get consumed with finding the perfect friends, finding the best toys, the perfect school, the best communities....the list goes on. Don't get me wrong. These are all noble and good things to consider. Any parent wants what is best for their children. However, it seems that in our modern world we have somehow lost our sense of the value of family, parenting in particular. Lately I have found myself growing tired, growing more gray hair, getting more wrinkles than ever before. However, with the aging process comes wisdom and experience. I must remind myself that as a parent, I DO have a rechargeable battery, and that my children really enjoy imaginary play, much more than I may have realized. Through this process, I have also found it to be therapeutic. It is quite relaxing and a process of renewal to come up with creative ideas, build new "homes" for my family (although they may be a family of stuffed animals and plastic action figures!), and take "trips" that only last for the afternoon. In fact, just yesterday we spend the afternoon at what my daughter referred to as "Walt Town City" (aka Disney World) It is a good therapy for me to momentarily escape the trials of my daily life, bills, taxes, obligations and so forth. Like any parent, I find myself at my wit's end sometimes. I find myself at the end of my rope often. I find my bank account to be small and there are daily troubles & tribulations I must deal with...somehow. But at the end of the day, if I have given my child a piece of myself, if we have played together in an imaginary world right in the midst of our living room, I have given the most valuable gift to my children...the gift of time and attention. I have the rare opportunity of working in a profession that I love. I am a piano teacher, director of children's ministry at my neighborhood church, and a Kindermusik educator. And although my house is not as nice as some people I know, my bank account is not as large, and my life is not perfect, I know without a doubt that there is no more perfect love than the love for a child. Memories created in early childhood stay with us for life. So go ahead...get silly with your kids, roll around on the grass, make a fort out of your dining room, and find the music in your children's laughter. Above all, consider yourself a valuable resource. Young children are the windows of the future. They should not be subdued, they should not be always hushed, and I do not believe they should be limited to confining spaces or activities. For me, this is what Kindermusik is all about. Kindermusik classes bring people together and gives children a sense of family and community through the innate love of music we all possess. Music gives us a common goal and expresses what we cannot always communicate through speech. Life without music....is not the life for me! If you are interested in learning more about early childhood music programs please visit the Kindermusik website at http://www.kindermusik.com to find an educator near you.