Have I mentioned how much I love the show Little Bill? These writers are genius, and today they made my life a little easier.
Just this morning I was thinking about how it was probably time for Jafta to embrace the concept of “alone time”. Jafta is a seriously social kid. He is an extrovert with a capital E. Jafta loves being around people, and it’s adorable and loveable and inspiring and COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY EXHAUSTING. This is the kid who begged to have all four of us pack up and move into the studio apartment we own, because he thought life would be better if we all shared one room all the time. Jafta’s life dream is that I will someday read a Dr. Sears book and decide to go all “family bed” on him. He wants human interaction, all day every day.
But . . . mama needs some space, and I’ve been thinking of introducing a daily “private time” in 10-15 minute intervals. This isn’t too much to ask, right? Wrong. Jafta is the kind of kid who considers our weekly date nights to be a personal affront, and is deeply wounded that Mark has to leave the house to go to work from time to time. So I’ve been seriously wracking my brain all morning as to how to introduce this concept to him, without it feeling like I’m breaking up with him.
“Jafta, mommy loves you, but she’d like to to play quietly in your room for 10 minutes today. Yes, while mommy is in another room. Please stop crying. Yes, I still love you. Please stop clinging to my leg and let me walk out of your room.”
I don’t picture this going well at all.
Enter today’s episode of Little Bill, which was like a little mama shortcut sent from God above. An episode about “Private Time”. An episode where Little Bill learns that mommy and daddy need some time alone sometimes, even though they love him very much.
Thank you, Noggin! THANK YOU!! Here’s hoping that tomorrow, this episode has spared my son some abandonment issues, and that mommy’s need for private time may seem a little easier to understand.
I am so jealous of the Noggin right now. (We don’t have it! GAH!) Miles cannot do more than 2 minutes alone either. I tried alone time for about a day and found he just kept coming out to ask me what alone time was. He was two then. Maybe now that he’s a mature three, we’ll try again! 🙂
Isn’t it funny how parents end up loving kids shows like Little Bill. I like that one too. My son has gotten me to like Drake and Josh, but I don’t like all the kissing going on in that one.
I used to teach first grade in Indiana and I loved using Little Bill shows to drive home points we had already made in class about sharing, personal space, kind words, etc… The little bill books are so good too! I hope you get your private time! 🙂
We love Little Bill over here too! Isn’t it divine when these “random” shows fit our parenting needs? Love your blog! 🙂 Julie Lawrence
Maybe you need to be writing for Little Bill!!