Enjoying Your Son

A short time ago Christina Roth wrote a great post on Tuesdays at the Fivebucks, called Ten Way’s to Enjoy Your Little Ones. If you have not had a chance to read it, be sure to check it out and enjoy her tips. But, what if your little ones are no longer little? In particular, what if your little boys are now older, maybe 8 to 13 years old? Here are five “different and creative” ideas to enjoy some time together:



1. Slow motion wrestling. Father and son perform a wrestling match in slow motion. As you wrestle be sure to accentuate all your moves with facial expressions, sounds effects and echoing noises when grasping, throwing, and rolling each other. A good way to start is for dad to say to his son, “S-o-n, g-e-t r-r-r-e-a-d-y t-o (t-o, t-o) g-o-o-o dooooooown!” Then, follow up by slow-mo pointing to the ground (indicating you are about to take him to the mat). Son replies with slow motion laughter, “Boooo harrrr hhhhar har,” and does a slow motion back kick which Dad deflects . . . in slow motion of course. You get the idea, take it from here.



2. Weird, Wacky, and Fun Experiments. Create a fun experiment for both of you to do then do it. Document your findings through film and post it on YouTube.com. What I am planning to do with my son is a "Whopper vs. Big Mac Ant Fest Chow Down". Details of this experiment are highly classified (and quite frankly nauseating), but stay tuned for the results to be posted online this fall. You can come up with your own experiments and let you and your son’s inner Einstein come out.



3. Childhood games. Teach your son a childhood game that you played at his age. If it’s an athletic game be prepared to lose. I taught my son Curb Ball. It took him three innings to catch on then he promptly blew me away by the 9th inning.



4. Water balloon toss. Make a dozen water balloons, take them to a park and let the fun begin. Take the first water balloon and toss it to each other 3 feet apart. After each successful catch increase the distance between the both of you by 3 feet. Keep going until you miss and break the balloon. Repeat the process multiple times and see if you can increase the distance each time. Withhold several balloons for a free-for-all finale between you and your son. Don’t forget to pick up the broken pieces of balloons before you leave the park.



5. Review your wedding album with your son in a relaxed setting. Show him each page, turn them slowly. Discuss with him your wedding vows and what they mean to you and your wife. Instruct your son about the meaning of marriage and the value of it in God’s eyes. Point out various friends in the pictures and share how they have impacted your lives. Use this time as a cherished moment together with your son as you reflect on your marriage and envision him for the future.



There’s no reason Fathering can’t be fun!