March 21 // With-ness and Weekly Traditions

Your presence is irreplaceable.

Do you know one of the most powerful words in the English language? “With.”

Imagine a 6-year-old girl in the forest all night. Alone.

Now imagine a 6-year-old girl in the forest all night…but with her family.

The first scenario is traumatic, and the second is called camping.

With-ness makes all the difference.

The surroundings might be the exact same, but her experience is completely different because of the presence of her family. Darkness becomes special, spooky noises become fun. Being with people you love transforms just about every situation.

And yes, that applies to you and your own with-ness. Earlier this month, we talked about how being social media’s product is a waste of our attention and an insult to our dignity. Again I invite you to see your time and attention as valuable.

Take this as a compliment: to the people you love, your presence is irreplaceable.

It’s not prideful to believe that you’re extremely valuable to your kids! The more you believe it, the more your kids will benefit.

Parenting Hack: Scheduling Time Together

Though we can make the most of pockets of time, it’s also really helpful to schedule time with our kids to be with them to make sure it happens.

What are some regular routines or traditions that you can establish with your kids to show them that time together is highly important to you?

Here are just a few ideas for weekly traditions that don’t take very much effort but can make a big impact:

• Monday laundry and readalouds. On Laundry Day, invite your kids to fold the laundry while you read to them. It’s a win for everyone! (A couple good readalouds to start: A Long Walk to Water or The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.)

• Tuesday night board games and card games. If weekly Monopoly sounds miserable, make this a rule: you have to like it too. Find games that are fun for you as an adult. Even video games are so much better when played together. (My son and I like playing the Carcassonne app on my phone by passing it back and forth. It costs $5.)

• Wednesday Watercolors. Learning a new hobby and making beautiful things together is powerful stuff. Lessons aplenty are available on Youtube; maybe start with this abstract tutorial from Wonder Forest. (I’m still loving this Doodle Hog watercolor set.)

• Saturday night at-home manicures. This is a great way to spend quality time with daughters of any age and make them feel special. Keep all your manicure stuff in a box so you can bring it out as part of your routine. Include a paintbrush and polish remover in your kit so that you can touch up polish that’s gone awry 😉 (Our family likes Olive and June; the wide brushes and opaque colors are so nice, and the mani system includes everything. Check for promo codes.)

We’ll share lots more ideas in future emails, of course, but hopefully these were some to get you started. Start small. Just pick one doable routine that you’d actually look forward to many weeks from now.

Tip: if you’re having trouble finding time, just let your kids stay up an extra twenty minutes once a week. It won’t hurt anyone, and it’ll probably be a big highlight of each week for both of you!

From Our Hearts

May you believe your own presence is priceless to your loved ones, and may the way you spend your time reflect it.

May you find things you truly enjoy doing with your kids—even toddlers—and carve time in your schedule for it.

We are praying these things for you!

Warmly,

Hope and the Family Scripts team

P.S. If you want some giggles, ask a 3-year-old what she would name the nail polish colors. My child’s suggestions: Scott, Mermaid Pigtails, Fashion Designer, Petey, Girls Night, Snowflake, Tom and Jerry, and Beans. 😅

If this encouraged you, please share it with a friend!