Family meetings.
I first took Vicki’s class when my son was about 3 months shy of his 3rd birthday and my daughter was 4 weeks old. I went to the class by myself and I asked my husband if he would go to her next class – he agreed. So we waited to start the fam meetings until he reached that point in the class. By the time we started Thor had just turned 3; we’ve now being doing them for 3 years and I’m taking this week of MomTV to look back at our journals.
So here are some excerpts from appreciations (my husband and I are the only note takers at this point; we only keep notes on TnT’s appreciations – not the appreciations from the adults -and I use that term loosely in reference to me and my husband).
Dec 11, 2006 (First meeting EVER)
Thor: I appreciate Daddy helping in the kitchen, I appreciate Mummy cooking dinner, I appreciate Talula talking to me (remember she was 4 months old).
Feb 26, 2007
Thor: Mummy I appreciate you giving Talula’s toys to her. Talula I appreciate you grabbing some of your toys. Daddy I appreciate you sitting in that chair (!!!!so awesome)
Jan 7, 2008
Thor: Daddy I appreciate you staying outside with me when Talula and Mum went inside. Mum I appreciate you going inside with Talula when I put snow on her head.
Aug 28, 2008
Thor: Daddy I appreciate you staying home with Talula. Mummy I appreciate you offering for me and my friends in our car to the hotel. Talula I appreciate you staying home with Daddy.
Talula(!!): I love you Daddy, I love you Mummy, I love you Thor.
Dec 2, 2008
Thor: I appreciate you taking me out to ski, Talula I appreciate you coming to my school. Mum I appreciate you picking me up.
Talula: Mum I appreciate Thanksgiving. Daddy thanks. Gus thanksgiving for letting me come to your school.
Aug 31, 2009
Talula: Mumma I appreciate you helping me clean my room. Thor I appreciate you getting the painting things for me. Daddy I appreciate you help Gus clean his room.
Thor: Mummy I appreciate you taking me to school today, Daddy I appreciate you letting me drive the big white speed boat in the lake. Talula I appreciate when we in Temagami you not bothering me on the steering wheel.
Mar 8, 2010 (just yesterday)
Thor: Talula I appreciate you sharing part of your cupcake with me. Daddy I appreciate you going skiing with me, Mummy I appreciate you playing a playdate with my friend.
Talula: Mummy I appreciate you helping me pack my backpack, Thor I appreciate you asking for the ring back, Daddy I appreciate you doing the dishes for me.
