Sometimes the most precious gift we can give our young children or grandchildren is the gift of quiet listening. My guest, Connection Messenger* Annette Petrick shares some simple wisdom that will equip you well the next time you find yourself with the chance to create quiet time for these little thinkers. I asked her what had inspired the content for this short recording, and she shared the poignant story below.
Use the audio player below to listen to this 90-second show.
To create quiet time with my four year old grandson, we had come to a burger place. Just us two. As we settled in, he asked me, “Grandma, what do you think is harder; to think something or to think something and say it?” I could tell this question would lead to something much more significant, but had no idea what it could be.
I replied that it’s probably harder to both think something and say, because that’s two things instead of one. He contemplated that all through burger chomping time, while I remained silent. Finally he turned to me and said, “I want to call Skip – “Daddy.” But it always comes out “Skip.”
I reminded him that when Skip married his mom, he looked forward to being called “Daddy.” “I know,” he said with a troubled sigh, “And I want to, but no matter what I think in my head, it’s “Skip” that comes out of my mouth.” I assured him that if he keeps thinking “daddy,” it would one day come out that way.
And it did.
I never would have heard about his big emotional conflict, or been able to help solve it, if we had not shared quiet time. Be sure to place little ones in situations of quiet and calm that allows them to think, analyze, resolve or ask for help.
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Annette Petrick for Consider This
Annette Petrick is the creative genius and inspired storyteller behind the Consider This Radio Show, featuring 90-second episodes serving up “timely perspectives on life, love, friends, family, giving back, and giving thanks.” Be sure to get on her email list HERE. She sends out a new 90-second episode every Sunday morning.
This post appeared originally on the Consider This Radio Show website.
[stextbox id=”stb_style_870581″]* What’s a Connection Messenger? At Heartspoken, a Connection Messenger is someone who helps point the way to strengthening one of life’s essential connections: with God, with self, with others, or with nature. [/stextbox]
Encouraging Thunder Award
One on one time is vital…and making sure it is non- digitalized. I see lots of kids with adults but one or both are on some form of device. We are losing the ability to ponder, question, communicate.
Denise…I see this all the time! And it so saddens me. And I see it every time I walk into a classroom (as a student). Everybody is on their device, instead of talking to each other. I hope that’s not the way our grandchildren will live. It is so much more interesting to just say, “So, where are you from?” It’s a great conversation opener.
Denise, I am very concerned about exactly the situation you describe and wonder what it will do to imagination, creativity, and big picture thinking that is so necessary for a robust culture and economy. Unplugging from time to time is important to us all, and I will be the first to admit that the darned gadgets are addictive.
So enjoyed the comments by Esther, Elizabeth, Pamela and Karen. So glad to hear that others have found the magic in quiet time for thinkers – little and not so much.
Love to feel the connection.
Thank you, Annette, not only for this piece but for all the wonderful episodes at your Consider This Radio Show (http://considerthisradioshow.com).
And thank you for being willing to share one with Heartspoken each month!
You have reminded me that I need to try to spend some quality quiet time with each of the grandsons. Usually I see them (am with them) as a set. Even a small occasion such as going for a burger can inspire loads of significant conversation. Thanks for the “poke.”
You’ve expressed so well why I love Annette’s Consider This Radio Show(http://considerthisradioshow.com) — each 90-second (yes, just a minute and a half!) episode is chock full of things that make me think and often inspire me to take action. It’s always a gentle “poke” — never a beating over the head — but she brings such a beautiful perspective to the everyday things of life.
How I agree!! I take each one of my young grandchildren for quality ‘quiet’ time – just the two of us. The conversations are surreal at times. Last week, I was driving my 6-year-old grandson back home after a fun visit with me and my guy. He was playing a bit with his seat belt, so after telling him how important seat belts are, I explained, “when I was a kid, we had no seat belts.” He nodded knowingly and said, ‘Yes, there were not seat belts in carriages back then, were there?” No matter how much I insisted that I did NOT grow up in the time of horse and buggy, I don’t think he believed me. 🙂
Pam, I would love to have heard that argument. My grandfather, born in 1879, lived until he was almost 95 (and I was 24) and rarely was with me when he didn’t recall my asking him, when I was quite young, if he had lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. That memory made him laugh for the rest of his life, though I later found it quite embarrassing.
My parents always enjoyed one-on-one time with their grandchildren. I can’t wait for that when mine gets older too.
Even big “kids” need quiet time with an older adult sometimes. I get to take my grandson to work and/or college 2-3 days a week. It’s 10 minutes by car vs. nearly an hour by bus. Many times our conversations are nowhere close to profound, but once in a while I am thankful I can be there with him. And even his father, my son, spent hours at my house the other night, just talking, laughing, enjoying together time. The very best kind of time there is!
Esther, you’re so right! Those times in the car can be really special times with a loved one, regardless of their age! I’m so happy you’re able to enjoy that kind of quality time right now.