Children yearn to feel connected to their parents and long to know they are loved and cherished.
But with the busyness of life and the never-ending parent “to-do lists”, many children become bored and unfulfilled and therefore turn to TV or social media to satisfy their need for connection.
However, there are a few things you can do starting today which will forever change the way you interact with your children.
And if you try these simple ideas, you’re sure to strengthen your bond with your child and create everlasting memories.
First, get to know your child.
Really know them.
You can play a game where you “interview them” and ask them questions such as what is their greatest fear and what they hope to be when they grow up.
By taking an interest in your child’s life, you are demonstrating you care about their future.
Based on their answers, you can provide words of encouragement and support for their goals and dreams.
Next, throw away your “to-do list” for a day and just have fun!
Consider taking a road trip to a random destination and stop along the way to soak in the scenery or try out a local eatery.
If you can’t get away for the entire weekend, consider checking out activities in your own neighborhood, such as art galleries, museums, summer festivals, or outdoor concerts.
Or, make it even simpler and cook dinner outside on the grill one night or watch a movie under the stars.
Time is the most precious gift you can give your child. Children want time with their parents and they desire to know mom and dad aren’t too busy to give it to them.
However, instead of focusing on quantity, focus on quality time. Your children spend many hours away from the home, so make the time they are there count.
Parents:
“When you add up all the time your kids spend at day care, in school, asleep, at friends’ homes, with babysitters, at camp, and otherwise occupied with activities that don’t include you, the remaining moments become especially precious. There are only 940 Saturdays between a child’s birth and her leaving for college. That may sound like a lot, but how many have you already used up? If your child is 5 years old, 260 Saturdays are gone. Poof! And the older your kids get, the busier their Saturdays are with friends and activities. Ditto Sundays. And what about weekdays? Depending on your children’s ages and whether you work outside the home, there may be as few as one or two hours a day during the week for you to spend with them.”
You can also try fun activities together as a family, such as letting your kids “cook” dinner one night (with your supervision of course).
Also, try eating dinner together as a family, without the distraction of cellphones or TV. Insist on a “no cellphone” rule during dinner and instruct each family member to put their cellphone in a basket until dinner is finished.
During dinner, ask questions that warrant a deeper answer other than “yes or no”. Ask your child to share what happened that day, both good and bad.
By taking the time to invest in your child while they are young, you are sure to create lasting connections that will only strengthen over the years.
What are some ways you spend quality time with your children?
Have you found a favorite activity that has strengthened your bond with your child?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.