Monday's Mommy Moment: Finding Creativity in Silence

Our house is noisy.  It's not because there are a lot of people--there's just my husband, Little Lewie, and me.  Our house is noisy because we're always busy "doing."  In the morning, we watch the weather and some news followed by Little Lewie's cartoons.  In the afternoon, if I'm not at work, I'm usually vacuuming, doing laundry, washing dishes, or doing some sort of other activity that provides a background noise.  Oh yeah, and there's more TV. 

Finally, in the evening, there's even more TV.  (When my husband returns from work, I can always guarantee he will request control of the throne, the recliner, and oh yes, the remote.) Consequently, the TV doesn't go off until well after Little Lewie is in bed either.   If Little Lewie isn't listening to the TV, music, or my household chore activities, then he is used to hearing Mommy and Daddy talk on their cell phones. 

Yes, while we are busy "doing", we are 1) training our little guy to feel like there always needs to be some sort of background noise, and 2) missing out on what's being said or taking place behind the laughter, shrills, screams, and blabber on TV.

This weekend, whenever possible, I decided to shut the TV off.  I didn't talk on my cell phone, and I put down the laundry and other chores.  Yes, instead,  Little Lewie and I went for walks where we could hear the sounds of birds, geese, and even peepers (we had one incredibly warm day).  And, when we were at home, we played "in silence." 

At one point, I realized my little guy wasn't interested in playing with me anymore, and he had created his own little storyline.  He became so involved in his play that he even let me film him without once paying attention to me.  It was at this moment that I realized what I've been missing.  He was talking, making sound effects, and creating his own little pretend world.  I know kids do this all the time, but I've been missing it.  In the confusion of our loud, perpetually busy household, I've been missing my little boy's play--the secret, inner workings of his mind--the beauty of his thoughts, imagination, and creativity.  Below is some of his play I was able to capture on video. 

For months now, I've been reading mom blogs that have made it their personal mission to turn off the TV.  While I won't be able to get my husband to subcribe to this philosophy anytime soon, I will however, do my best to create "quiet" times in our house or outside where Little Lewie can listen to nothing else but his own thoughts (and maybe a bird or two in the background.)