Small story
Glancing quickly at the phone screen - where the movie was reaching its climax - then looking down at the floor, where his little daughter was laying out all sorts of toys, Mr. Cong caught a sweet, pleading gaze. He smiled and put the phone aside. Immediately, the little girl's eyes lit up as her father was ready to join in.
The little girl excitedly pulled her father into the tiny “kitchen” with: gas stove, refrigerator, pots, vegetables, fruits, bowls… All were toys, but meticulously arranged like a real kitchen. The father and daughter began an imaginary party filled with laughter.
Like a small restaurant owner, the little girl said in a clear voice: "Please choose your dishes!" and then continuously introduced the menu, from main dishes to desserts, and urged her father to choose quickly. It was just a pretend game, but seeing her father excitedly playing the role, the little girl could not hide her radiant joy.
“Before, every time my child invited me to play, I was usually busy with my own things so I just sat next to him without really paying attention. I just thought that as long as my child was happy, that was enough,” Mr. Cong admitted.
As for Ms. Ngoc Anh (office worker, residing in Hiep Binh Phuoc ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh city), although she regularly takes her child to the park or playground every week, she is often startled by what her child says. Usually, she lets her child freely choose the game, while she observes from a distance.
“I think just being close enough to react in case something happens is enough,” she shared. If the child finds a friend with the right “taste,” he will have fun playing, even forgetting about his parents. But many times, when the child beckons her to play with him, she blurts out, “Go ahead and play.” Seeing her child playing alone, she tells herself, “He’s still happy, so he’s probably fine.” At that time, she takes the opportunity to surf the phone or chat with other parents.
Until one day, her 6-year-old son suddenly said: "Every time I ask you to play, you say you're busy, you're tired. Or do you not like playing with me?" She was speechless, not knowing how to answer her son or herself.
Accompanying the child
In the modern world, not all parents have enough time to both help their children study and accompany them during their playtime. Many families find themselves in a situation where one parent takes on all the responsibility of taking care of their children, while the other parent chooses to relax on the phone or TV, leaving their children to play alone.
The phrase “quality play with children” is increasingly mentioned, understood as spending time with children in a complete, meaningful way, and creating a deep connection between parents and children. It is not just “being present” with children, but actually participating, listening and exploring and learning with children.
The most important thing about playing with your children is not only how long, but more importantly how you play. Little time but used properly can still become precious moments, helping to strengthen family relationships, nurture children's souls and contribute to the formation of healthy personality and emotions for children.
This, more than anyone else, has been verified by Mr. Cong himself. Every day after work, instead of using his phone to entertain himself, he usually spends 20-30 minutes playing with his children.
“I feel that my baby is not only happier but also looks forward to these playtimes. There are things that I couldn't grasp before, such as changes in his interests, emotions, and psychology, but now he really likes to talk about them because his dad is listening,” he confided.
The experience that Ms. Anh has learned is that she cannot be there to play with her child whenever he wants. However, she can choose a certain time of the day to divide which game the father or mother will play with the child.
For example, her son loves building games and Legos, so she assigns that role to her husband. Meanwhile, she actively talks and plays role-playing games with him.
Ms. Anh also said that at times like that, she would also give her child some light tasks to help her parents, making her feel more trusted and more willing to participate. She considered this an effective initiative combining learning - playing - working with her child. Everything after that, gradually formed good habits for her child.
Playing with your child doesn’t have to be perfect or all the time. Most importantly, your child always wants to feel sincere and positive companionship. Even if it’s only 15-30 minutes a day, if you are truly present, without phone calls, emails, or distractions, that time will leave a deep impression on your child’s soul. That’s how to raise with love, from the simplest things.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/yeu-thuong-chat-luong-post799529.html
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