Observing play as a form of meditation

 Sometimes watching children play is pure joy.  Seeing them make their own discoveries, noticing an a-ha moment, those times when they surprise you with their innovative ideas are some of the main reasons I feel so passionately about protecting the rights of children to experience True Play.

Other times though.... it can be a real challenge.  It can get messy, both physically and emotionally. It can be excruciating to sit back and let your child be frustrated with something even if you know they'll eventually figure it out. Sometimes their play vaults us right back to our own childhood experiences and our memories can make mountains out of molehills. Or... maybe you just don't want to have to deal with a paint-covered toddler mess.

Or perhaps you hear a voice of obligation telling you that you should be interacting with your child more? Asking them what they're doing or telling them how to do that thing the right way?

I have a challenge for you, dear reader. The next time that you're watching children play and you start to feel anxious or annoyed, pause to ask yourself these questions:

1. Is my child truly in danger?  (if yes, PLEASE STEP IN and make sure they're safe!)

2. If my child is not actually in any danger, what emotions am I feeling?  

3. If I'm worried, what am I worried will happen?  If I'm annoyed, why is their behavior annoying to me? What is at the root of my emotional response to their play?

I also challenge you to think of watching play as a meditation. Focus on it so deeply that you're no longer running through your mental checklist of to-do's for the day. Lose yourself in curiosity about what your child will do next. Blend into the background and simply observe. 

I personally find that taking pictures and videos of the play while it's happening (with as little interruption of the play as possible) is a great way to keep me present in the moment.  If I'm tangled up in my own emotions, I know I can go back and watch the video later so that I can enjoy the play after I've worked through my own feelings about it.