Spring Fever
I'm sitting here at my desk staring at the computer screen.
At least I'm pretending to be staring at the screen so that I can fool myself into believing that I'm working.
Really I'm gazing out the window.
My office is in my home and looks out over the garden.
While I enjoy the view, for most of the year it's an asset but not a distraction.
But now it's Spring.
Spring brings picnics and flowers, sunshine and baseball.
For parents of young children, it also brings spring fever.
Hey, that's' the case with many of us.
We're more likely to become dreamy or restless during the Spring than at any other time.
So is it any surprise that children are restless, daydreaming and driving their parents to distraction.
While parents notice the changes in their children they often attribute it to misbehavior.
But it's Spring fever and it's real.
Many of us find ourselves in the garden, on the golf courses and at the ballpark.
And that's normal and healthy.
Remember the news stories every year about how many adults skip out of work on opening day at the local baseball stadium.
There they are in their suits with their cell phones and hot dogs.
There are some typical child behaviors we see in the Spring.
o Light at Bedtime Every child is different but certainly as soon as it is light outside children want to stay up later.
Instead of getting angry, parents can first realize that this is a reasonable reaction.
When I was little my mother would recite the poem, Bed In Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson about a child who hates to go to bed when it is still light outside.
The poem let me know that she understood my feelings.
Mind you, I still had to go to bed.
For children who really have a problem with the light, consider darker curtains.
Older kids may be willing to wear an eyeshade.
o Daydreaming Daydreaming is not all bad.
A wise parent will join the child and allow for the creativity of thought that can evolve.
Remember lying on the grass looking at the clouds and discussing the shapes?Instead of discouraging your children, join them.
We do a lot of talking about how children watch too much TV and don't engage in creative play.
Well, use this daydreaming time of year to teach your children how to let their minds roam and wander.
It won't hurt we adults either.
o Outdoors Spring is also a time when children want to spend time outdoors.
Again, join them.
Go for walks and see the new flowers,baby ducks and bird's nests.
Go to the park and play on the swings or toss around a baseball.
If you encourage outdoors play by joining in, your children will benefit by having fun with you while they get needed fresh air and exercise.
Kids always benefit from outdoor play.
If your kids are normally reluctant to play outdoors use Spring fever as a chance to start a new habit.
Put on old clothes and let them run, play get dirty and just have a great time.
o Silliness Some people get very silly in the Spring.
If you are one of these, go ahead.
It won't hurt your children to see you being silly.
If you child is one of these then have fun.
Turn regular activities into games, laugh and joke while you pick up the toys.
The world will not fall apart because a job is not done seriously.
Of course life must go on and children, like adults, can't use the onset of spring as a chance to avoid homework, piano practice and chores.
But, when you acknowledge your child's spring fever,whenyou make room for her need to daydream, to be outside, to play , then your child will be much more willing and able to take on the regular tasks.
At least I'm pretending to be staring at the screen so that I can fool myself into believing that I'm working.
Really I'm gazing out the window.
My office is in my home and looks out over the garden.
While I enjoy the view, for most of the year it's an asset but not a distraction.
But now it's Spring.
Spring brings picnics and flowers, sunshine and baseball.
For parents of young children, it also brings spring fever.
Hey, that's' the case with many of us.
We're more likely to become dreamy or restless during the Spring than at any other time.
So is it any surprise that children are restless, daydreaming and driving their parents to distraction.
While parents notice the changes in their children they often attribute it to misbehavior.
But it's Spring fever and it's real.
Many of us find ourselves in the garden, on the golf courses and at the ballpark.
And that's normal and healthy.
Remember the news stories every year about how many adults skip out of work on opening day at the local baseball stadium.
There they are in their suits with their cell phones and hot dogs.
There are some typical child behaviors we see in the Spring.
o Light at Bedtime Every child is different but certainly as soon as it is light outside children want to stay up later.
Instead of getting angry, parents can first realize that this is a reasonable reaction.
When I was little my mother would recite the poem, Bed In Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson about a child who hates to go to bed when it is still light outside.
The poem let me know that she understood my feelings.
Mind you, I still had to go to bed.
For children who really have a problem with the light, consider darker curtains.
Older kids may be willing to wear an eyeshade.
o Daydreaming Daydreaming is not all bad.
A wise parent will join the child and allow for the creativity of thought that can evolve.
Remember lying on the grass looking at the clouds and discussing the shapes?Instead of discouraging your children, join them.
We do a lot of talking about how children watch too much TV and don't engage in creative play.
Well, use this daydreaming time of year to teach your children how to let their minds roam and wander.
It won't hurt we adults either.
o Outdoors Spring is also a time when children want to spend time outdoors.
Again, join them.
Go for walks and see the new flowers,baby ducks and bird's nests.
Go to the park and play on the swings or toss around a baseball.
If you encourage outdoors play by joining in, your children will benefit by having fun with you while they get needed fresh air and exercise.
Kids always benefit from outdoor play.
If your kids are normally reluctant to play outdoors use Spring fever as a chance to start a new habit.
Put on old clothes and let them run, play get dirty and just have a great time.
o Silliness Some people get very silly in the Spring.
If you are one of these, go ahead.
It won't hurt your children to see you being silly.
If you child is one of these then have fun.
Turn regular activities into games, laugh and joke while you pick up the toys.
The world will not fall apart because a job is not done seriously.
Of course life must go on and children, like adults, can't use the onset of spring as a chance to avoid homework, piano practice and chores.
But, when you acknowledge your child's spring fever,whenyou make room for her need to daydream, to be outside, to play , then your child will be much more willing and able to take on the regular tasks.
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