Tag Archives: Friends

End of Summer Break Play Date

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There’s some friends my daughter doesn’t get to see as often as she’d like during the school year, so it’s always nice to squeeze in a play date or two during spring break.

Quinn and Arya have been friends since they were a couple months old, and they’re still going strong at 11 years old. Quinn also has bonus friends in Arya’s younger sisters.

Zack, our toy poodle, enjoyed having bonus sisters too.

Spending time with friends who are more like family is a nice way to wrap up summer break.

All the best,

Tanya

The Happiness of Celebrating My Daughter’s Birthday

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Something I enjoy more than celebrating my own birthday is celebrating Quinn’s. We had a wonderful weekend together with her friend and our family, and seeing her happy and one year older brings me so much joy. 🥰🥳. Read more @mommysbabysteps.com . #mommysbabysteps #motherdaughterbond #birthday #fun #familytogetherness #familyfun #birthdayweekend #love

The Art of Friendship: Painting Smiles on Faces

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There’s something special about childhood friendships. Watching my daughter and her best friend blossom over the years from kindergarten to fourth grade is no exception. Yesterday, my daughter was super excited to celebrate her best friend’s 10th birthday.

I’m so glad Quinn was included in her friend’s intimate painting party, especially since they will be in different classes this year. Watching them paint together with the other children in attendance, chat and giggle definitely painted a smile on my face. What a wonderful way to close out summer break.

All the best,

Tanya

Ten Years of Friendship

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It’s hard to believe that my daughter is ten, let alone that she formed a friendship as a baby and had the opportunity to celebrate her friend’s tenth birthday party today.

Ten Years of Friendship

Of course, Quinn’s bond with Arya was formed as a result of the friendship I formed a few years prior, but I’m so glad they (along with Arya’s younger sisters) all enjoy each other.

Though we live in different towns, watching the both of them grow up into beautiful, bright young ladies makes me so proud. Before we know it, they’ll officially be teens. 😅

All the best,

Tanya

The Importance of Play Dates

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Quinn and I had such a wonderful play date with our friends. She didn’t want to go at the end of the day, and I secretly didn’t want to go either. With the pandemic looming over us for the past few years, time together with friends feels so special and is definitely important for Quinn as an only child. I’m so grateful for these moments with dear friends. Looking forward to next time. 🥰

All the best,

Tanya

Parallel Play Can Be Fun at Any Age

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Today I observed something I recalled learning about in my early childhood education class: parallel play. It wasn’t involving toddlers as the definition suggests but eight and nine year olds enjoying each other’s company while on devices.

I know some parents and teachers may frown upon this and suggest that children should be playing outside or interacting in a more direct way, which my daughter and her friends, Jack and Alex, were doing throughout their play date, but as they all sat on the sofa together playing a Roblox game, this showed me how play amongst children is constantly evolving.

They were all fully engaged and even chatting and joking with each other occasionally and just enjoying each other’s presence., and that’s what matters.

All the best,

Tanya

Everybody Needs Friends: Even Toddlers

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Quinn with Her Friends

My daughter just loves having her picture taken with all of her “friends” sitting on the steps together. After everyone is perfectly arranged, she says, “Picture please! Picture with friends please!” I chuckle to myself and eagerly grab the camera to honor her request, especially now that she occasionally gets persnickety when I want to take her picture. Actually, she is not having her picture taken with actual people but her stuffed animals and dolls who she refers to as friends. Though my two year old does not go to daycare to interact on a regular basis with children her age, in observing her at The Little Gym during our weekly mommy and child session, she is often friendly and will say hello to the other children without me asking her to do so. She also loves spending time with her eight year old cousin and will ask just about every morning if she will see her today. When we go to the park, her smile widens as she sees other children, and she will wave at them excitedly. We do occasional have play dates so that she can have friends beyond her stuffed animals, but I would love to find more ways to give Quinn the opportunity to interact with other children since she may not be in day school until she is three. Having a child has conjured up my own childhood memories; I recall longing to make friends through most of my childhood and how there were times that I felt alone even in a classroom. I know she is only two and still getting to know the world and herself, but I want to do everything in my power to make sure she has friends. Having friends can provide comfort and a support system among many other benefits. We all need them: even toddlers!

All the best,

Tanya