It was hard to cut back at first, but eventually it has gotten easier. Of course there are many benefits of less screens. I find my kids are more contented and more creative with their time. This eventually leads to overall more happy kids.
One of the first days on less screens I decided to sit outside with Lucy and play with guinea pigs. Suddenly after looking at our long haired guinea pig, fittingly named Elvis, I decided to teach Lucy to plat hair. I thought she may be a little young but since she is a very tenacious learner I thought I'd give it a go.
So we began with Elvis. He wasn't too keen but he put up with it. Lucy struggled to catch on after my first demonstration. His hair is long but not quite long enough for a beginner's fingers.
So next we moved onto Lucy's handmade rhythmic gymnastic ribbons...I guess all that Olympic watching was not that bad after all. This was easier as it had only three thick strands to deal with. Finally Lucy was catching on.
This was my work above, just like it was on Elvis. Lucy was finally starting to get the concept. I then decided to move onto one of her plush dolls named Lovey. Although, like Elvis her hair was a tad too short. Lucy was getting better though.
Suddenly, I remembered a scene from the movie Tangled. It is where little girls braid Rapunzel's very long hair. I showed Lucy the clip but as much as she enjoyed it, it went too fast and this fed into her wanting to watch more Disney movie clips. Not my original intention. Crazy how quickly those screens can creep back in.
Then I decided to show Lucy a Utube clip of a Mother teaching her daughter to braid her hair.
Well that turned into a comparison struggle. For both of us.
I remember Lucy saying "That girl is way more beautiful than me".
In all efforts to encourage her I replied "No, your very beautiful to me, just the way you are".
"But that girl is even more pretty than me!" Lucy firmly said.
Ok, so my encouraging efforts were not working. Mmmm now to switch over to my Mummy teaching hat.
"Comparing yourself is not good" I told her. "God made you beautiful as Lucy".
I was hoping that would sink in. But she is determined. So I am. So was my Mother.
Digging her heels in Lucy responded "I want to be more beautiful like that girl".
I tried. All Good attempts but not really from my gut honest heart. She is getting older now. Lucy needs to know I struggle too.
Me: "Sigh" "Mummy looked at the Mum or the lady and I thought she was more beautiful than me too. But I need to remind myself I am beautiful too".
Lucy looked at me with compassionate, understanding eyes that really connected with my soul. Girl to girl. Struggle to struggle beautifully greeted right in the middle.
"Your so beautiful Mummy" she said with all her heart while reaching over to give me a heart felt hug.
This melted my Mummy heart. There is nothing on earth like the feeling of really connecting with your child. Lucy needed to hear "Me too!" from me rather than a lecture. I don't always nail this. I mean it took two failed attempts before I got to it this time. Sometimes it takes a lot longer. There are some areas with my kids I am still waiting for this.
I answered her "Thank You, so are you".
Lucy then said " I am happy now".
I asked her why.
She told me "Because you felt like that too."
Yep my kids need to know I struggle too. I need God just as much as they do.
And you know what Lucy took her little self aside and she got it. She stuck with it, just as she did with teaching herself to whistle, click her fingers and skip. All BIG six year old achievements.
Way to go Lucy! I can't wait to see what new skills you will fiercely learn in your 7th year!
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