I am currently working on my next book- 21 Ways to Connect with your Kids- and I need you!
If you are willing to provide comments, stories, ideas, fun things, serious things, things that you plan to do, things your parents did with you, that strengthen the parent child relationship I want to hear them!
Please contact Sunnie- sunnie@kathilipp.com with your name and contact info.
As my daughter grew up and entered her teen years it became apparent that she is a night owl and I am a
morning person. I soon learned that the optimum time for quality communication with my daughter was on her time schedule not mine.
If I wanted Christina to share what was happening in her world, her mind, and her heart then I needed to sacrifice my sleep and make myself available to listen and give her guidance.
As much as I love my sleep, I love my daughter even more. These special times often lasted into the early morning hours and my body struggled to stay awake. Yet, the treasures gained in connecting with her have grown into a mother daughter friendship that is a blessing today for both of us.
Christina lives in Germany with her family today and we talk often on the phone and Skype. But one thing is an unspoken tradition in our relationship; we know when we visit each other there will be at least one late night visit where it’s just the two us, connecting heart to heart.
Ginger
Hi, Kathi!
What a super idea! I love this!
One thing my children and I did together that always connected us was singing. We sang songs in the car and at home all the time. When my son, the oldest, turned five, he joined children’s choir and I became involved as an assistant to the music minister. Both son and daughter grew up (with me) in this choir experience, singing every fourth Sunday and performing in children’s Bible musicals. These are some of my best memories of time spent with my children.
From my own childhood, I remember those special times in the summer that my dad would take my brother and me in the early evening for soft ice cream cones. What a treat! We weren’t allowed to have many sweets at home. Ice cream in hand, he would drive us down to the small railroad depot to watch for the arrival of the passenger train, The Silver Comet. She was sleek and silver and a sight to behold!
Let me know if you need anything with writing or editing. I am working on a project right now, but can always make room for friends! 🙂
Blessings!
Hi Kathi ~ So glad to help with some input on your next book.
There were 3 things I did that were my favorite ways to connect with my daughters Chantel, Brittany & Kayla.
The first was”Song & Prayers” at bed time. When Chantel & Brittany (twins) were young, they loved the movie An American Tail. The song in the movie, “Somewhere Out There” was a favorite, so we would sing that and then we would all share our prayer requests and pray together. When Kayla came along, a favorite song of hers was “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam.” At bedtime Kayla would say, “Come on Mom, it’s time for Sunbeam & Prayers.) This was always a nice warm time with my girls as we sdpoke about the day, and plans for the next and then shared our prayer time together. My daughter Chantel now has 2 girls of her own and it is great to hear that she has continued the tradition with them.
The second thing was to take along one of my girls as my “Shopping Buddy” when it was time to do grocery shopping. Depending on the time of day, we would go the restaurant of my daughter’s choice for breakfast or lunch and then do our shopping. Our meal time was always a time of talking, laughter and eating our favorite foods!
Lastly, when packing my daughter’s lunches, I always put in a little note to let them know I loved them and how special they were to me! The notes were quickly done, but always included a sticker or rubber stamp imprint.
It is so cool to have your daughters come back years later to tell me that these were all special times for them. They knew through our talks, prayers & notes that they had a mom who loved them and accepted them as they were. At times when many of their friends were having “parent problems”, my girls knew they had a mom (and dad, too) who were there for them. They could talk to us about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and they still do!
Oh, I think I’d have to email you on this one!