Parenting

So, I want to make just a quick post about active and passive parenting. I've been thinking about this a lot because I take are of Ethan at the beginning and end of the day. And of course on the weekends.

But, in the mornings I find that I'm just coming out and letting Ethan watch TV while I lay on the couch for just a little longer. I've tried to tell myself that I'm not going to do this but when I'm in the moment, in the actual morning, I don't remember those promises.

In the evenings, I do better. We have been making trips to the park lately because the sun is out longer now (thanks DST) and the weather is warmer. I feel better about doing that because it means that I'm engaging with Ethan. But even then, like on our 2 hour trips, I brought a book so that I could just let him run his energy out. I didn't have a chance to sit down and read it all that much but the intention was there.

Active parenting -- The time spent with kids playing, running, reading, doing things.
Passive parenting -- The time your kid spends interacting with things that are not you.

I shouldn't come down so hard on passive parenting. It can be very useful when things like dishes, cleaning, vacuuming need to get done. Or just when then parent needs a little sanity. But it's an easy parenting style to fall into as the default.

Ethan is getting better about playing with himself without just watching TV. He likes to read books, run around the house, and play with trains.

Some of the things that I need to do more actively are read, sing, run, and build things with him. I'll have to keep working on those.