Dead Pets & Book Club

Tonight Willow, Kai & I went to a Mother & Son/Daughter Book Club evening.  It was our first one, and we loved it.  First off, the book we read together over the last couple weeks was so funny and not something I would've picked.  It was something we all enjoyed reading together, and had so many fun characters that made it silly to read aloud.  

For the book club we made pocket animals, had a treat of nachos and had a book discussion.  Both Kai and Willow liked making their pocket animals (Bob and Willa) and participated in the book discussion by answering their questions about the book.

Fun Evening!

 

*Complete side note, but I noticed something today that will change my life as a parent here on out.   I loved the turn out for the Book Club, so many kids and parents.  However, almost every single parent was on their phone the whole night.  They let their kids make the crafts, and participate in the book discussion while they did whatever it was on their phone.  One mom was talking on her phone in the corner, another dad when his kids were asking for help sent them to get help from the librarians instead, so many browsing or texting on their phones it was just so sad.  Alot of them were doing that while their child sat next to them.  I thought it was supposed to be a parent/child activity.  That's what it said on the flyer.  It made me so sad to see them glued to their phones.  Tonight, before even going into the library I had told myself I wanted to completely distraction free (in fact I even hired a babysitter to watch Navy so I could completely focus on these 2 gems).  Not that Navy is a distraction, but sometimes, these kids need to be able to have mom's full attention!  I guess the fact that I was intentionally going into tonight knowing I wanted to be 100% there with my kids, made me more aware of the parents and the fact that they were glued to their phones.  It made me ponder, I was intentional today, but how often am I not intentional?  How often do I look like those parents, with those little people in front of me, with my eyes looking at my phone instead of their beautiful faces?  Watching them explore their worlds?  Being there to talk to, to laugh with or help when needed?  What am I doing that is more important than them?  I know I am not on my phone as much as some parents, BUT, am I still on my phone too much?  I want to make sure I am as present as possible with them-they're the most important thing in the world to me & I don't want them to ever doubt that.