When life is busy it can be hard to be intentional about making time for your kids. The whirlwind of to do lists, carpool, cleaning, and cooking is overwhelming to say the least.
I know I’m not the only one who has been staring at my phone, scrolling through Pinterest, and trying to figure out how to make my flower beds the best on the block this spring.
Only when these little insignificant things were taking time away from my family did I realize that I needed a change.
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This isn’t to say I don’t engage in things like this anymore. Yes I still want to have a beautiful flower garden, but it is no longer a priority of mine to have the best on the block.
Instead of trying to be perfect all of the time, I am trying to engage more with my family.
It doesn’t take much. All kids need is a few of your minutes per day of undivided attention to fill their love tank. I read the book Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford,
and it inspired me to actually look at my daughter in her eyes when we are having a conversation, rather than focusing on something else (like my phone!) and giving her a half-hearted response.
Making Time For Your Kids
Have Some Fun!
The best thing about having kids is the ability to relive the magic of childhood, yourself! I know taking care of a family is constant work, but you have to create some time to enjoy that family, too.
Go on a walk together. You will be amazed at the conversations that come up!
If you have young kids, take them to the park, and play with them. Swing on swings, pick dandelions, and make wishes.
Sit down and color in coloring books with them. Or, make your own coloring book, together!
Ask them to show you something that they are passionate about.
Take them to get ice cream. It will make them feel so special.
Sit down with them while they do their homework and help them, or have them explain to you what they are learning.
Do a simple craft or activity with them.
Play outside with them! Even if you end up just watching, do not play on your phone.
Making Time For Your Kids
Start New Traditions
The most fulfilling part of having a family is making memories and creating your own traditions. I still fondly remember helping my dad make pancakes for the whole family every Sunday for brunch, when I was little–how we were able to just be together, and enjoy that time and relax. It wasn’t expensive, and we didn’t even have to leave the house!
Have a family game night.
Eat dinner together at the dinner table. No electronics! Have each person tell the rest of the family something good that happened that day. Let them help you cook dinner. Sometimes you can’t avoid being busy, but you can still engage with your children in unique ways like this!
Make it a tradition for you all to sit down every Sunday night and have movie night. We make something called Popcorn Surprise. Each week, for movie night, one family member gets to choose a surprise candy. A small amount of that candy is then poured into the bottom of each popcorn holder for us to snack on. This is also cheap, and a fun guessing game!
Give your children a specific and regular time to have you all to themselves. That way they know when it is coming and can look forward to it!
Spend one on one time with them. Without the other children if possible! One of my friends has a routine where each weekend, she does something alone with one of her kids. They rotate weekly, so that each of her three children has a chance, in turn. Even if it’s grabbing Fro-Yo while running errands, it’s still alone time!
Read a book together. Plan “set” reading times. If before bed is too busy of a time in the evening, how about right after dinner a couple nights a week, or on the weekend?
Making Time For Your Kids By Unplugging
Putting your phone down and engaging can be a hard habit to break. So, if at all possible, when you are spending this one on one time with your kids, just leave your phone in the other room.
Life is so much less stressful for me now that I know that my kids won’t care about mom being just as good as the other moms at the bake sale. What they truly care about is me making time for them and enjoying our time together.
How do you balance your time so that you have quality time with your kids? Share your tips in the comments below!
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