We cook, we clean, we may homeschool, take care of babies, and a lot of us run home businesses or work outside of the home. We are busy. When you have more than one child it can be difficult to find the time to spend quality time with each one individually. With a little planning and being intentional, you can spend some quality time with each of your children. My husband is currently deployed. I am pretty much stretched to my limits when it comes to my time. I have three kids ages four and under and I’m still nursing my youngest. During the course of this deployment, I realized how easy it is for my two older children to feel like they are sort of getting lost in the shuffle. The baby takes so much of my attention, and I know my oldest would love to have some quality time and attention from me. So, I decided I had to make it happen.
Plan Special Dates
I have started taking my older children on special dates. Each child alternates weeks and we do something special together that they enjoy. Last week my son and I went to a Lego Block Party at our local library. I cannot tell you how happy that made him. We weren’t gone long and my grandparents were able to watch my two younger children. My son is still talking about this special date. My two year old daughter adores the Dollar Tree. It’s her favorite store! So, on her special day we went shopping at the Dollar Tree. I like to get school supplies and cleaning equipment for the kids to use for their chores at the Dollar Tree. Of course, she had to pick out a balloon for herself. You don’t have to do anything elaborate or take a lot of time. You don’t even need to do it weekly. You can do the special dates as often as you like, or as often as you can get help with your other children. Something as simple as a trip to the grocery store with just one child can be a special moment. There was a little fussing the first time I took my oldest out alone from my two-year-old, but once we left and she was playing nicely with Nana and Papa, everything was fine.
Use Baby’s Nap for Quality Time
While your baby is sleeping, take a little time to sit down and play with your older children. Play with your daughter’s dollhouse, build a block tower with your son, or read your child’s favorite story to him. I know we are all busy and we have so many things to do, but our children are only little once. If you can take 10-15 minutes to play with them, you will make memories with them that they will not forget.
Teach Your Child a New Skill
I’m a strong believer in passing down important skills. For my daughter, I want her to learn homemaking skills before she leaves home. I have had to learn and I am still learning so many homemaking skills, but I want her to know how to do these things while she is still at home with us. I also want my son to know some of these skills, too. I let my kids help me in the kitchen. If my husband was home, I could have him do something fun with my boys while I got my daughter in the kitchen with me and showed her how to prepare whatever meal we were preparing. When she gets older, I would love for both of us to learn how to sew together. I love teaching my son how to take care of our herb garden. He has also learned how to sort laundry, steam mop the floor, and several other chores by spending time with me. Not only are we doing something productive together, but we are making quality memories and my kids are learning things that will serve them well into adulthood. Spending quality time with your kids is one of the most important things you can do with your children. It’s even better if you can carve out a little time to spend one-on-one time with your kids! You will develop your relationship, make your child feel valuable, and create lasting memories.
Joanie Boeckman is a country mama who loves Jesus. Her husband is her American hero and her three children are her world. She loves watching her backyard chickens peck the ground, learning about real food, and homeschooling her babes. She desires to empower women in their roles as homemakers, mothers, and homeschool teachers at Simple Living Mama. Also check her out on Facebook for fun updates!
Trista Laborn says
Great advice!
Joanie @Simple Living Mama says
Thank you, Trista!
Kim says
Such simple ideas with really powerful and lasting results! I think it’s all about becoming intentional and setting aside time for our kids, just like we would for a doctor’s appointment. Your points are great that the ideas don’t have to be “big”-they just need to be done with you. I think lots of parents have forgotten about the simpler pleasures of life. What a gift you are giving your children of helping them to be prepared to be competent adults!
Rosilind Jukic says
Wonderful ideas!!! I want to start doing the dates soon. My oldest really loves one-on-one attention – I know that will mean so much to him.