Alisa
Keeping Kids Home
Aug
I let one of my twins stay home from school yesterday.
He wasn’t sick.
He wasn’t avoiding anything.
He asked and I said Yes.
Each term I give my kids 1 day leave pass to use. Yesterday he chose to use his.
My mum used to do this for me and I still remember these days better than any single day I spent at school.
We use this as a rest and replenish day. I worked while he played in the sunshine with his lego – until he got bored. He then had to think of other things to do.
The rules are: No TV. No Ipad. They have to find things to do themselves, get their own snacks and I’m not there to entertain or play. It’s not my job to make the day super fun. Just a normal ordinary day to allow him time to process, think and catch up with being still.
I allow him (and hope!) he will become bored as boredom is the birthplace of creativity. ‘You’re bored?! How fantastic! I wonder what interesting thing your brain will come up with to do next?!’
I don’t think we let our kids get bored nearly enough.
I think ‘mental health’ days are as important for kids as for adults and a day in the quiet with little stimulation does wonders for a childs overall wellbeing, energy levels & immune systems.
Guess who was first up this morning and couldn’t wait to get to school??! This morning was effortless. This child who drags his feet every single morning was dressed and ready for school before I even got out of bed.
That one day at home improves the whole term. Seriously.
Works. Every. Damn. Time.
The little bit of one on one time is also rare and special for us. They are small for just a short time and we expect so much from them out in the world every day.
Do you ever give your kids a day off for no reason? Alisa xoxo
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I couldn’t agree more Alisa we do this too it’s so necessary and so wonderful to listen to our children. We’ve all been there and sometimes we wake up and just can’t do the day! It makes a huge difference having a mental health day or a special bonding day with our beautiful children.
This is so timely. I’ve let my 7 year old stay home with me today while my 4 year old twins are at kindy. Life has been so hectic lately, my husband has been working long hours, demands of 3 kids, school life and he has been a bit “off.” I took him for a smoothie, played a huge game of monopoly and now we are watching a movie together. It’s been a great day!
That sounds close to the perfect day Kerry! Great job. 🙂