Thursday February 21st, 2008
I made her spend an hour and a half by herself in her room yesterday afternoon. Her sister was sleeping in the next room, and I sensed that she needed some time to rest, some time by herself.
I piled her books on her bed and instructed her to rest, read and play quietly, but not to come out of her room. I equiped her with some water, a banana and a cozy place to spend the early afternoon.
Normally she would fight me on this, but yesterday I think she understood too the importance of quieting oneself.
She played isolated from the real world and became quietly lost in her own. I came to collect her after about 90 minutes. Her miniature horses were lined up facing the door to her room, dozens of them, belly deep in the carpet pile. She was arranging books around a reading nook she’d created out of pillows and stuffed bears and looked up at me smiling.
Is it time already? Have three half-hours passed?
Yes, honey. You can come downstairs now if you want.
But, can I stay here longer? I just started reading.
Of course she could and I told her how much I understand the need for solitude sometimes, and how reading is so perfect for that. I closed her door and stepped out. She rejoined us about 20 minutes later, calmer than when she entered and with a remade joy that she hadn’t had before.
photo by Misty Matz.
They need quiet times as much as we do. I have a feeling we will be doing much the same today.
Sometimes we don’t recognize the need for a quiet time, but He does.
And so we begin what can only be yet another four day weekend of iced in family time.
Ice Storm 08 part two
What a beautiful picture. I love it when I see my daughter “get” the need for quiet time.
I read something by Elisabeth Elliot once where she said her daughter (who has 8 kids) had a quiet hour every afternoon. The kids were expected to play quietly or nap for that hour. She said the kids were really receptive of it because a)it had always been a part of their life and b)they needed that quiet time for ourselves. I think we forget that concept. How much good it can do for us.
That is a most gorgeous picture. You caught a great moment there.
I am a big believer in “alone time” and pretend play. I think it’s good for their spirits – and ours, too!
Don’t you wish you could enter that little world as a child again, for just a little while? THAT is what childhood is supposed to be – snuggly corners, good books, safe places, pretty toys, and happy hearts.
I love the pictures you take.
Don’t you just love it when your kids cooperate with quiet time! I usually have my oldest have “rest time” for 1-2hours a day & he enjoys it for the most part. Sounds like she enjoyed it too. Beautiful picture!
gorgeous picture of Hope!
those quiet times are so needed to recharge and get on with the rest of the day. i am glad that Hope enjoyed her time and saw the value in quieting ourselves,
Okay… this is a gorgeous picture. And I agree with Janelle, we all need those quiet times. Including our children. It’s even more beautiful when those quiet times actually happen!
Thank you for all of your comments! Please know I did not take that photo; Misty did!
I’m catching up on blogs as my nightly reading tonight, and my husband just saw this picture of Hope. He commented on how beautiful she is. I told him I thought so too. It’s not just her looks, although she is beautiful on the outside. I think it’s the stories and words I’ve read about her, as well. Her beauty and innocence just radiate out of her.
We always struggled with getting Becca to take naps. And if she did, they were very short (20 minutes). But since the day we brought Allie home from the hospital, she goes into her room from 1:30-3:30 and doesn’t make a peep. Somedays she naps, somedays she just plays, but she definitely likes her quiet time. I can SO relate to that need.
I love the glimpse into Hope’s mind…with the horses all lined up, and the comfy reading nook. She’s precious!
Hope is truly an amazing little girl! She is everything that is a 6 year old, yet sometimes passes so far beyond in maturity and wisdom. What an angel!