April Editor's Letter

In my life BC (before children) when I was an elementary school teacher, my principal had a poster in her office that read, “Some days are meant for playing.” I loved that saying and have tried to embrace it in my life. There are some days when you just need a break and need to spend the day playing. For me, that means lingering over a latte with a good book, enjoying a long walk and dinner out, along with playing games and watching a movie with the family. For kids, play is more serious business and needs to happen every day. I’m afraid that in today’s society, the time for play is getting pushed to the side in favor of sports, dance, music and a host of other outside activities.

Before having children, Ty and I made many decisions on how we wanted to raise them, with one of them being that our girls would not be involved in tons of outside activities. We feel that childhood is way too short and the time with family is way too precious. Our girls are never in more than one activity at a time, and often, they aren’t involved in any outside activities.

What does this look like in our home? If we are blessed with a beautiful day, we can take a bike ride or head to the park. We have time to complete homework AND enjoy dinner and play a game as a family. The girls spend time reading, setting up school for their dolls and writing in a journal. They experiment with instruments and making music. Ally has written several songs that Ty has set to music. I can’t begin to tell you how many family game nights the girls have organized and executed, and I am often blown away by the creative (and fun!) games they invent. Muffins are sometimes even baked for us to enjoy the next morning for breakfast.

Is every day pure bliss? Heck no! I hear “I’m bored” all the time, and daily arguments ensue between sisters. But that’s okay; it’s the choice we’ve made. You won’t find us rushing around from practice to rehearsal—and that’s just how I like it.

Learn more about the benefits of free time from Olathe mom Melinda Smith, who takes a look at the importance of play in her article “The Serious Business of Play”.

Enjoy April, KC, and get out and play!~ Margaret