An article I recently read, about parenting 9-year-olds, encourages parents to spend time with their children during this “first adolescence”, even as their kids begin to really get a sense of themselves, and often seem to want to separate from their parents.
The article claims that it’s still important to spend quality time, and do things together as a family, in addition to allowing the 9-year-old greater freedom.
Since I immediately sent said article and a few others to my co-parents, I thought I’d better put my money where my mouth is! So, my two 9-year-olds and I spent the day engaging in both family time and independent time…
Near the church I attend, there is a neat little playground. After dropping off a garbage bag of “doggie donations” at the THS (which is also close to our church), we spent some time at said playground. Then we headed over to a spacious and super-cool coffee house near by, where we proceeded to put together a 300-piece puzzle we had just purchased at a garage sale.
The article claims that it’s still important to spend quality time, and do things together as a family, in addition to allowing the 9-year-old greater freedom.
Since I immediately sent said article and a few others to my co-parents, I thought I’d better put my money where my mouth is! So, my two 9-year-olds and I spent the day engaging in both family time and independent time…
Near the church I attend, there is a neat little playground. After dropping off a garbage bag of “doggie donations” at the THS (which is also close to our church), we spent some time at said playground. Then we headed over to a spacious and super-cool coffee house near by, where we proceeded to put together a 300-piece puzzle we had just purchased at a garage sale.
(click to enlarge)
Subsequent to our collective accomplishment, of which the boys were quite proud, we had a little lunch, and then the boys played a few math games on their electronic gadgets, while I did some blogging. Periodically, we glanced at one another and smiled.
Subsequent to our collective accomplishment, of which the boys were quite proud, we had a little lunch, and then the boys played a few math games on their electronic gadgets, while I did some blogging. Periodically, we glanced at one another and smiled.
A bit of “us”, a bit of “them”, and everyone was happy!
Next stop, the airport to pick up my girlfriend, and then on to the "eyeball playground", another favourite on a Sunday afternoon, before heading home, where the boys will likely head off to do their own thing for another hour before dinner.
This blog post was actually supposed to be about social justice in the math classroom, or about reporting on the Big Ideas and Math Processes instead of the strand-specific curriculum expectations. I meant to sit down, reflect on, and debrief some of the ideas I was exposed to at OAME this past Thursday and Friday.
But after a crazy week which involved watching the family dog die, and presenting at the provincial math conference, and watching an emotionally draining selection at Hot Docs last night, I decided to spend my precious Sunday with my kids instead, and share some family time with my online friends.
In the mad scramble of full-time career and multiple extra-curricular projects, I am going to try to make it a goal to consistently build in family time that still honours the boys’ growing need for individualism.
After all, apparently that’s what 9-year-olds need, and I fear it won't be long now before I am blogging about my two gangly teenagers!!!
Next stop, the airport to pick up my girlfriend, and then on to the "eyeball playground", another favourite on a Sunday afternoon, before heading home, where the boys will likely head off to do their own thing for another hour before dinner.
This blog post was actually supposed to be about social justice in the math classroom, or about reporting on the Big Ideas and Math Processes instead of the strand-specific curriculum expectations. I meant to sit down, reflect on, and debrief some of the ideas I was exposed to at OAME this past Thursday and Friday.
But after a crazy week which involved watching the family dog die, and presenting at the provincial math conference, and watching an emotionally draining selection at Hot Docs last night, I decided to spend my precious Sunday with my kids instead, and share some family time with my online friends.
In the mad scramble of full-time career and multiple extra-curricular projects, I am going to try to make it a goal to consistently build in family time that still honours the boys’ growing need for individualism.
After all, apparently that’s what 9-year-olds need, and I fear it won't be long now before I am blogging about my two gangly teenagers!!!
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