A little over a month ago, I accepted the #LEGODUPLO 30 Days of Play Challenge. In a nutshell, the boys were asked to engage in daily themed play, with a little help and guidance from me. Both Ryder and Reid immediately took to the challenges – rising to the occasion and putting forth their best efforts. Most of the time, they were receptive to mommy’s instructions and ideas; other times, they just wanted to build towers (daily challenge be damned).
At the outset of the program, I knew the boys would get a kick out of all the different places their imagination would take them. Just opening the boxes of LEGO DUPLO was alone enough to convince them that Christmas had come twice! But one thing I wasn’t banking on – profoundly taking me by surprise – was just how much they needed me as a buddy, playing along with them.
You see, before the LEGO DUPLO Challenge, I was happy to let them play amongst themselves. Ryder and Reid are inseparable, and as a general rule, enjoy each other’s company immensely. And so I had taken it for granted that I could just throw a few toys at them and leave them to generate their own entertainment. Of course, I couldn’t do this during the 30 Days of Play; it was necessary that I guide and teach them what was expected, and how to go about accomplishing it. It was a turning point: suddenly, I realized that they were flourishing under my lead, and perhaps they needed more structured play time with mommy. I began interjecting myself during other times as well, and found them craving the attention and reciprocating with bright, funny and creative bursts of play.
Hence, for us, the LEGO DUPLO 30 Days of Play was about more than just bringing blocks together – it was about bringing us (and our imaginations) together as a family. Now THAT’S time well spent :)
The 30 Day of Challenge is still going strong for a few more days – consult the play calendar, round up some LEGO DUPLO and share a special moment with your child! We’re still playing together every day, except now, Ryder creates some challenges of his own!
Click here to visit The 30 Days of Play Challenge.
I am participating in the LEGO® DUPLO® program by Mom Central Canada. I received compensation for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.
