My favorite distraction in the evenings for my kids is to turn on a C.D. and dance around the kitchen with them while I am cooking dinner. So, I decided to make a C.D. for Emily, with all of these upbeat songs that we could dance around to. Some Christian songs we both like, Sesame Street versions of hit songs I like. (If you have ever watched Sesame Street you know how people like Melissa Etheridge, and Goo Goo Dolls come on and take their hit songs and “Sesame Street” them up. It’s great.) Anyway, she came to me and said how much the songs made her happy. She said when she feels bad she can play this c.d. and “get happy like mommy”. Then she said “Thank you mommy, every time I listen to this I will remember how my mommy made this just for me, and that mommy loves me.” All I was trying to do was find music she could play that I could enjoy too, and instead it turned into a great “mommy and me” moment.
So, a great activity is to create a C.D. for, or with, your kids that you can both enjoy together. Then get crazy silly with them, and dance all over your house. It is great exercise, and the kids love it! No matter what age your kids are, you can find songs you will both enjoy. Have Fun with it, your kids are great entertainment!
Alyssa (who is just 7 1/2 months old) loves to dance! We also do this everyday and she just giggles and thinks it’s so much fun! It also gets us mom’s moving and burning some calories! So dance on my friend!
You never know where dancing with your kids will take you.
It has taken me to tap/jazz lessons for 4 years now. When Zach was around 2, I started putting on praise cd’s, big band, jazz.
My husband and I both love musicals also. Zach has seen Fred Astaire more than once. His favorite movie to watch with his Nana is still Singin in the Rain. Well, that has fostered something in him that I do not have the talent for. He is a great tap dancer and it is all because I was willing to have a great time and dance with him. So yes, dance with your kids.
You know, I completely agree. One of the most thoughtful gifts I ever got was a guy friend of mine put together a random CD of songs that he said reminded him of me. He did this for all of his friends after he got to know them and I absolutely loved the CD. It’s my favorite.
Funny, the very first song is “These boots are made for walkin'”, which was the most obvious one (since I had just broken up with a cheater).
Each song picked up on some part of me that I didn’t think people even noticed. It is a definite mood lifter.
I too put on some music. Mostly, christian music. I love to blast my music throughout the day. And, I will take little breaks when I am cleaning and dance with my kids. We get our praise on. Even when I am cooking we dance in the kitchen. It is really fun. I love to see their faces and when they are singing the songs. My son said he loves the song “One way” by Hillsong. So, I love to keep active and do things with them. Because not only will they treasure those moments even me. I really enjoy being with them.
There are times when my kids may be in bad moods, and they resist me, so I get as silly as I can and “shake My booty” They laugh at me, and it breaks the mood. I am teaching them how to CHOOSE the way they feel. They think I am goofy, and funny, but we have so much fun! It makes me laugh too.