A confession: It's really hard for me to "play" with kids. It always has been. It's not something I desire to do (to be frank: it bores me). So when Sunday comes up to me and wants me to sit down and play with her, I have to force myself to do it. There are times when I do, and times when I don't.
That said, this week I want to express my gratefulness that Tommy loves to interact with kids. Some people are "children" people. Some people are not. Tommy has always been great with children. While in college, he worked one-on-one with autistic children, and he learned a lot about intentional play. I am pretty sure that's the wrong way to say it... but he is a lot more creative when it comes to interacting with, teaching, and disciplining Sunday. (Plus he enjoys it!) I see things in black and white... he sees lots and lots of color. And the ideas (!!) that he comes up with to teach her! I have so much to learn... and I am learning a lot from him.
What I am trying to say... is that I am really, really glad I married someone who enjoys playtime with his daughter. Because it's something that doesn't come easy to me. (Some day I will write about playgroups and how hard it is for me to make them a priority for us!) Having a partner who balances me in the parenting arena is soooo helpful in lifting the burden of mommy guilt.
Don't get me wrong - I DO play with Sunday. We DO have intentional "teaching" times. It just doesn't come easy to me. But we hang out and spend time together all the time! (Shopping, walking, eating meals together, etc.) I'm just really, really glad that "play time" comes easy to Tommy. It's hard to think of something that brings me more joy than seeing him laying on the ground making Sunday laugh out loud.
He is such an awesome father. And I'm really, really thankful for that.
