Connect More with Your Kids
Sometimes
we can be so busy with our jobs, and our personal goals, and changing
the world, that we have very little time to spend with our kids. And
trite as it may sound, the time we have with them is so limited, and
passes so quickly, that we may lose out on their childhoods completely
if we’re not careful. Make time to connect with your kids — it’s worth
the investment.
Steps
- Make a date. Set a weekly date with each child, so you are ensured some alone time with them.
- Read with them. Read to them every day if possible. It’s great quality time, and one of the best things you can do to help them in life.
- Talk to them after work. When you get home from work,
instead of sitting down and watching TV, or taking a nap, or finding
some other way to veg out after a long day at work, take the extra
effort to sit down and talk with your kids about their day.
- Play “Highs and lows”. If dinnertime isn’t a productive time to connect with your kids, try playing this game:
- Go around the table, and each person shares his high points of
the day, and low points. One or two or even three of each is good. And
everyone should really listen. It’s fun, and a great way to connect.
- Work on a goal together. Pick a long-term goal to do
together — for example, reading the first 5 books of Harry Potter aloud
together. Doing this can teach your child about setting and achieving
goals by taking small steps each day. A sports goal is also great —
getting in shape for soccer, for example. Have a workout plan, and be
drill sergeant, and a workout journal. It’s a lot of fun, and it bonds
you together.
- Play with them. Don’t be afraid to be a kid with them.
Play video games, watch cartoons, play board games, have pillow fights,
make a fort, play superheroes. Play at their level — don’t expect them
to play at yours.
- Talk to them in the car. Life can be very busy,
shuttling us from place to another, so take advantage of time in the
car — you can have some great, deep conversations in the car.
- Have a Family Day. Pick a day that will be strictly
for you, your spoue, and the kids. Don’t work, don’t do (much)
housework, don’t go to functions or parties (usually). Plan out what
you’re going to do, and do really fun things with the kids. Reserve the
time for them and no one else.
- Have a Family Meeting. Before Family Day, have a
weekly Family Meeting. While this isn’t exactly one-on-one time, it’s a
great way to talk about things with the kids, have fun with them, and
include them in decision-making.
- Just snuggle. Every now and then, just pull your child
to you and hug them. Snuggle, be affectionate, squeeze them tight. That
kind of physical intimacy is important — and the day will come when
they don’t want to snuggle with you anymore. Take advantage of it now.
Related Tips and Steps
Sources and Citations
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