Parenting | Sunstone Online

Why Alone Time Matters for Kids and Parents

In a world that often celebrates togetherness and constant activity, the idea of spending time alone can sometimes be overlooked—especially when it comes to children. Yet, research and expert insights suggest that solitude, when chosen and balanced, can be a powerful tool for growth and well-being for both kids and their parents. For children, alone time is more than just a break from the crowd. It’s an opportunity to build independence and self-reliance as they learn to entertain themselves and solve problems without immediate adult guidance. Studies have shown that spending time alone can promote important developmental skills, such as self-regulation and the attainment of autonomy. These moments of solitude can also spark creativity and imagination, giving kids the freedom to invent games, explore new ideas, and express themselves in unique ways.

Emotionally, alone time offers space to process feelings and manage stress, helping children develop resilience and the ability to cope with challenges. It’s also a chance for self-discovery, as kids reflect on their interests, values, and preferences in a calm, distraction-free environment. Parents, too, can benefit from recognizing the value of solitude in their children’s lives. Understanding that alone time is not something to be avoided but embraced can lead to healthier parenting approaches. Rather than overscheduling or feeling pressured to constantly entertain, parents can support their children’s need for unstructured downtime, which research suggests can improve well-being and adjustment. This not only fosters a more relaxed home atmosphere but also models healthy habits around self-care and boundaries.

By encouraging and respecting their children’s need for solitude, parents help nurture independence, emotional well-being, and creativity. Of course, balance is key—solitude should complement, not replace, social interaction and support. But when embraced thoughtfully, alone time can help children grow into confident, creative, and resilient individuals, while also supporting a more mindful and balanced approach to parenting.

Mother Catalogues Children and Animal Friendships in Russian Countryside

Many mothers will testify to the fact that throughout their busy days they have little time to sit back and enjoy their children or to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them in the form of simple, everyday moments. That is one of the reasons that Elena Shumilova, a mother in Russia, has taken over the internet with her amazing photography. Shumilova, a mother of two in the outskirts of Andreapol, purchased her first camera in 2012 and has been snapping breathtaking photos of her children ever since.

“Children and animals – it’s my life. I’m a mom with two sons and we spend a lot of time on the farm,” Shumilova said in an interview. “When shooting I prefer to use natural light – both inside and outside. I love all sorts of light conditions – street lights, candle light, fog, smoke, rain and snow – everything that gives visual and emotional depth to the image.”

Shumilova explained that her education in architecture, as well as experience in painting and sketching, have defined her “feeling of photography and composition.”

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“I’ve been shooting every day and processing the images at nights. By autumn I felt I found my own way of approaching photography,” she said.

View more of Elena’s photographs here.

How to Use the Internet to Motivate Your Child This Summer

As the school year takes its leave and summer vacation takes over, it is important to keep our kids involved with more than just the internet and TV shows. One great way to do this is by looking for short, educational updates on the internet- this way, it shouldn’t be too difficult to convince your child to cooperate.

Choosing a Subject… Art?

It is wise to choose a subject that truly interests your child, as well. For example, if your child is interested in art or design, you may want to encourage them to check up on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website from time to time. They have a page dedicated to their current and upcoming exhibitions, which will undoubtedly fascinate your child, and may even encourage them to visit the museum during their free time, if possible. The featured exhibitions include ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,’ ‘Guitar Heroes,’ ‘Thinking Outside the Box’ and many, many more.

Or American History?

Perhaps your child is enamored by American history. If so, Shapell Manuscript Foundation has a new online project called ‘Between the Lines,’ which they describe is as “a unique look at this day in history.” Every few weeks the site features a manuscript that was written or is directly tied to an event that happened that day, many decades ago. The manuscript currently featured on their site is a letter from George Armstrong Custer to the Secretary of War regarding his little brother, Boston. Just this week, on June 25^th, the Custer brothers fell at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in year 1876.
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As strange as it may sound, the internet can be a great way to get your child motivated enough to leave the computer and pursue his or her interests this summer!