the quality of their health for the rest of their lives will be determined by the mental presences of their parents

This weekend we went to AIRTRIX which is one of those trampolining, Parkour, obstacle course places, that was cool.

We also did a family art project. We got a giant canvas and drew a load of plate sized circles on it and we each had a few that we could fill how ever we liked. That was fun too.

Fun stuff together is important I think but probably more important to get right is the stuff that’ll happen day in day out.

Like waking up in the morning, getting dressed, eating a breakfast that’s going to benefit their health, that they’ll also eat and getting out the door while ENJOYING the process. ie somehow avoiding threats, bargaining, yelling, trying to create urgency, frustration or anger.

or doing homework, creating a nutritious dinner, that they’ll eat, getting ready for bed and going to sleep without yelling, tears, resistance, uncontrollable emotion and fighting.

In fact I think that quality of life is far more about mastering those daily processes in a way that feeds body, mind and soul than it is about holidays and fun activities.

I think the strength of your life long relationship with your kids will be determined by the repetitive more than the unique.

I also think that the quality of their health for the rest of their lives will be determined by the mental presences of their parents at those times and the pleasure they derive from meal times, bed time and waking up in the morning.

What do you think?

Ps I’m far from perfect in any of this, I’m just saying where I put my attention…