I work in the 'hood.........and I'm finding that there are some things that can be generalized across the board. Like......
- there will always be somebody selling something on the corner
- it's very likely there will be somebody approaching you for change at a stop light or the gas station
- there are no driving rules on the road such as giving someone the right of way or stopping at stop signs
- and there will always be a mom chatting away on a cell phone while a little one is sitting by.
That one really saddens me. In the past couple of weeks, I've seen what looks like moms with small kids under the age of five talking on cell phones when they could have the opportunity to connect with their kids. Two little girls were outside playing--one on a bike another with a toy baby in a stroller and the mom was paying them no attention even as one child was desperately trying to get her attention.
Why? Couldn't she take a few moments to get on the child's level, look her in the eye and simply listen to her? Another mother was at the bus stop while her child just sat there staring blankly into space. She was chatting and laughing on her cell phone. No interaction. No connection. What could have been a teachable moment, was lost. I don't understand it.
I'll admit that have been times when I'm at home on the phone and Rhyan is tugging on me, wanting my attention and I'm learning to give the boys their time and use bedtime for my social catching up time. I don't want my little one's tugging on me to end. Because I know that if I don't take the time to look them in the eye and listen to them, they will look elsewhere for the attention they so desperately long for.
I love this article on Mindful Parenting. It's a reminder that children live in the moment. Let us give them wonderful moments to remember.