Being a mom is one of the toughest jobs in the world. You have to be everything to your child, and sometimes you feel like there’s never enough time. Do yourself a favor and bond with your kids. They’ll thank you later. Here’s how you can spend more quality time with your children:
1. Make time for your kids
Between working a full-time job or managing a business and maintaining a household, it can be difficult to find the time to spend with your kids. However, this one-on-one time is invaluable and will help strengthen your relationship with your children.
It may be tempting to schedule every minute of the day, but it’s important to leave some free time available. This way, if a child has a day off from school or comes home with a stomach ache, you can focus on them rather than stressing about plans you’ve made.
2. Set aside a regular time each week to spend with them
It could be every dinnertime or the whole Saturday, but it’s important to schedule some time each week when you and your child can be together without any distractions. This precious time with your child is more important than the errands you could run or chores that need doing.
So, if you’re determined to spend time with your kids, make sure you put aside some regular one-on-one time with them. This time could be spent watching movies together, learning new crafts, or even just gardening in your backyard. Or you could even just lounge together in your patio under your retractable rolling awnings, which can protect you from the harsh sun rays.
3. Put away your phone and other distractions
It’s not just about the quality of time you spend with your kids, but also how much of this time is distraction-free. Make sure your phone is out of sight and that you don’t have the TV on in the background. If necessary, go somewhere without a television or even go to the park so you’re not tempted by other distractions.
This is important because seeing you spending time with your phone instead of them can leave kids feeling ignored or even neglected. It’s important to make sure they feel like they are the most important person in your life during your time together.
4. Connect with them emotionally
You need to connect with your kids emotionally, and the best way to do this is by listening. Stay quiet and listen to what your child is saying. If they’re sad, ask them why. If they’re happy, ask what’s made them smile. Your child wants to know that you’re taking their words and feelings seriously, so make sure you’re giving them your best listening face.
If they don’t seem to want to talk, this may mean that something is wrong. Remember that it’s okay to be honest, so if your child is acting out or seems depressed, they might be trying to tell you what’s wrong. If you sense they are feeling upset, ask them what’s wrong and listen to their response.
5. Encourage their interests
When your child is interested in something, you should encourage them. This could be anything from football to ice skating or even drawing. If you don’t have the time or the money to invest in their newfound interest, why not help them save up for it?
Or you could suggest they spend some time helping you with chores, and they can earn some money that way. If your child is interested in something you don’t like or understand, ask them to teach you. Who knows, you might even discover a new interest yourself.
6. Talk to them about their day
When your child comes home from school or daycare, ask them about their day. Ask what they learned or how it went with a particular friend. This is important because it means they know you’re interested in their life.
Even if your child comes home feeling out of it, it’s still important to ask them about their day. Their answer might be monosyllabic, but they’ll still want to know you care. If you have the time, ask them what happened in specific detail. This will help them know that you really care about their day and what they’re going through.
7. Show them you care
Children need to know that they’re loved and cared for unconditionally, not just when they do good things. If your child is acting out, try to understand why they’re doing this and how you can help them.
Then, after they’ve done something good, make sure you take the time to praise them for it. This will show them that their behavior is important to you. It’s also important to show affection to your children, whether it’s through cuddling, kissing good night, or just holding their hand.
Spending quality time with your kids is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. It’s not always easy to find the time or to know how to connect with them emotionally, but it’s well worth it. By following these seven tips, you’ll be sure to make the most of your time together and create memories that will last a lifetime.
