Is your child taking all morning to finish a piece of toast?
Are they staring into space when you’ve just asked them to put their shoes on?
You’re not alone if you’re experiencing moments like these, perhaps every day.  

In my observation, children move at a slower pace than we adults in our modern society might be used to. Of course, we see children get so excited every muscle of their body seems to move, and they can run like the wind when they have the energy or the motivation. However, when the movement around them becomes too much or too fast, they seem to stop. They stop hearing, they stop seeing, and they stop responding, not because they can’t, but because they’re getting too much information.   

The irony is, if you want your child to move faster, you need to slow down. Imagine yourself like an anchor, supporting your child to be still and calm so they can hear what you have to say and respond to what you’re asking. See if you can slow your body down and move closer to your child when you tell them what you’d like them to do.  

If your child is taking too long to finish a piece of toast, consider why it might be happening. Do they need more time? Is there too much going on around them? Do they need company? I am beginning to notice in my parenting life that putting everyday tasks into the context of attachment is the most successful way to “get things done”. When I offer to go with our child to brush their teeth, they come without delay. When I offer to help our child put their shoes on, they want to give it a go. It’s not about not wanting to be independent, it’s about our children knowing that the invitation is always open for them to depend on us. The irony is, when they know this, the energy to venture forth into their own person becomes stronger.

If you would like to learn more about this and how it might relate to your parenting experience, please feel free to contact me and I’ll be happy to discuss how we can work together to meet the needs of you and your family.  

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