Last Updated on 5 January 2023 by Colette
Ben has been going to Street Dance classes on a Wednesday night for the best part of two years now. His lesson starts at 6pm so it’s always a bit of a mad dash to get him picked up from childcare, changed, fed and off to dance. There’s been plenty of times where he’s had to eat his tea in the car on the way there.
Over the last two years Wednesday nights have featured times table practice, chats about tax, social media, girlfriends, future business plans and being kind to name but a few. It takes us around 20 minutes to half an hour each way and, with no distractions, has been known to provide the perfect platform for some very interesting conversations. Conversations we might not have otherwise had if we’d been with the girls or had other things to do.
We’ve also found ourselves doing a lot of singing – Dave’s car has Android Auto which means we have can play pretty much whatever we want through Spotify but it also means that when Google Maps kicks in, she talks over the top of the music. We’ve created a bit of a game now where we challenge ourselves to carry on singing over Google and hopefully hit the right marker in the song when the music comes back!
This week Chloe started dance lessons with Ben, which means our Wednesday chats are no more . . . Ben doesn’t need to talk to me now, he’s got Chloe in the car with him. She was super excited about her first lesson on Wednesday so the pair of them were ever so giddy in the car, screeching, laughing and chattering with each other. I’m sure there will be times where the Wednesday chats are reinstated and the three of us will have proper conversations, but the time for Ben and I to be on our own in the car on a regular basis has now passed. I’m going to miss it!
That’s lovely to find that one to one time – it’s so hard to carve it out, but this sounds perfect. I play the sing in the gaps game too – we have a dead spot for the radio at some traffic lights near our house which is brilliant for it! It sounds like the dynamic in the car might have changed, but hopefully the chats will re-emerge once the hilarity of being together has died down a bit.
Yes, I think it will just mean we have different conversations when both of them are there.
Oh I have all the feels thinking about you guys nattering away about anything and everything <3
We’ve had some ace little chats – it’s been the best chance of finding out what’s going on at school and if anything has upset him.
It’s so hard to find that precious one on one time together isn’t it? It’s also easier in the car to talk, it takes the pressure off! You’ll have to find a new one on one activity but in the meantime, they can have some good chats themselves!! x
Yes, I think we were lucky to find that time without having to force it. I’m always conscious of finding time with each child on my own but it’s usually every few months rather than a regular thing like this was.
Aww how sad that your one on one time has passed but how lovely that they have an activity together that they both like and are excited about.
This is really lovely. It’s great to see an open dialogue with parents and children, maybe soon you can find some one in one time to chat with him and now he knows he can talk to you open and honestly
What a lovely idea! Hopefully you can continue to adapt to each phase so you still get to do something together.
COuld you not make a spot elsewhere in the week for that chat? a one to one?
That’s so nice that you got some proper bonding time in the car and I’m sure even having the two of them in the car you guys will still be able to chat x
Yes I think you’re right, it will just be slightly different.
That’s so lovely that you had special time just for you and Ben every week. I bet it’s great to see them both excited about their dance classes though!
Oh I really love one on one car chats where there are no distractions, it feels like you get so more information. I think maybe this might just evolve and you will have a good old group chat! #TheOrdinaryMoments
Oh Colette, that sounds so lovely. I’d definitely miss the one-on-one time too, but fingers crossed, soon it becomes three-way Wednesday chats. And I’m sure they’ll love doing dance together!
Great idea for making some special times! I think I’ll have to start incorporating something like this with my oldest daughter as well!
Awww that is so lovely. I love one on one time with the kids. This sounds perfect. Happy New Year lovely xx
Oh it’s so nice that you had that time to properly talk – and sing. It’s good for children to have an opportunity to open up, ask questions and just have one on one time. Plus, I love a bit of routine. I’m just looking for dance lessons for Athena at the moment x
That chat time is so precious! I’m sure you will make time at other occasions for the 1 to 1 chats x
This is so lovely. I have a one on one time with my little boy on a Wednesday as his sister is at dance too. Its nice to have that time with them. I would really miss it it if ever changed! I am sure there will be other times when you have that time together to chat, laugh and sing! xx
I think what I love most about it was that it wasn’t forced, it just happened. We’ll definitely find different times to chat x
I love singing in the car too. I find it’s so good for the soul. I just crank the music up loud and let rip with the window down and the breeze in my hair! Xxx
I loved my kids doing street dance! And I love these moments where you can be one to one with the kiddies and really connect and share moments like these. x