Cross Stitching is Great Relaxation for Kids & Adults Alike

by Iza del Carmen, MomAuthority.com

Do you find yourself longing for something you can do with your kids that doesn’t require an enormous amount of energy, but is still something you can do as a family? Playing football in the backyard, practicing an instrument or even baking are all great activities that can equal quality time spent together by parents and their children. But, if you’re like most parents sometimes you just want to spend time with your kids without having to overexert yourself (or your eardrums) just to keep up with them.

Sure you can watch television or a movie as a family. Just grab some popcorn and a drink and plop yourself on the couch for a couple of hours of staring at the TV. There is a bit of relaxation in that, but where does the family interaction come into play? Most of the time there is none because everyone is so engrossed in the movie no one wants to talk.

One way you can spend quality time with your kids, relax and still intermingle with one another is to teach your kids to cross-stitch. I don’t know about you, but for me a nice quiet evening of cross-stitching a special piece is a great way to relax after a day of rushing around. I just love snuggling up on the couch with my cross stitch work after a day of working, running kids here and there and making and cleaning up dinner. It’s nice to sit and create something that I’ve picked out especially for another family member or friend or for us to enjoy hanging on the wall for years to come.

What’s even more calming to me is when I have my kids join in with their own cross stitch creations in the making. Teaching my kids to cross stitch didn’t take a lot of effort since they see mom doing it. As little ones, they would see me working on a picture, bib, or blanket and become anxious to see the finished product. After awhile they began to think of patterns they’d like to see come to life and requested that I make them. That’s when I knew they were getting interested, so I taught them how to cross stitch too.

Now, cross-stitching is not just something mom does to relax. The kids join in too. At least once a week, we pull out our needles, fabric, and patterns. We’ll each find a comfy place in the living room to sit, grab our blankets and curl up to begin our night of cross-stitching and family togetherness.

During the time we’re working on our latest and greatest creations, something happens that sadly, many households never see anymore. We have family conversations. In the past, we’ve discussed things such as how our day went, what we hope to accomplish with our current patterns and even plans and dreams for the future. It’s absolutely wonderful.

Then there are the nights when we don’t talk much at all. Nights like these at first made me think maybe the kids didn’t have a good day, didn’t know what to talk about, or were just deep in their designs. Sometimes those things were true, but more times than not when we have a quiet stitching session it’s because we are content. We are comfortable with our surroundings and love where we are right at that very moment. We’re taking a break from the hustle and bustle that constantly surrounds us. We’re tranquil with those nearest and dearest to us – our family. Sometimes silence is the best medicine for a long, hard day no matter what your age.