7 Ways to Spend Quality Time with Your Child
HOW TO FOCUS ON OUR CHILDREN
By Mirley R. Graf
For about a month now, my oldest daughter and I have had Mommy/Audrey time after lunch. It’s a time that we spend together doing an activity where we bond and get to know each other. Because her love language is quality time, I like to dedicate 30 minutes to her. Preferably between 1:30 - 2:00. On some days, Mommy/Audrey time is less than 30 minutes depending on the activity.
I got the idea of spending quality one-on-one time from Positive Parenting Solutions, instructed by Amy McCready. Ms. McCready says that having one-on-one time with your children helps prevent misbehavior. The first thing to do is to designate a time for when you will spend time with this child. Next, allow your child to decide what activity he or she wants to do.
That said, here are some ideas that you may want to put on the table if there is ever a time when you don’t know what to do. This is also a good time to explore different activities but in the end, it is up to the child to decide how they want to spend their time with you.
Play outside: Playing outside is a great way to explore the outdoors and learn about nature. It’s a great place to run and even throw rocks into the water if there is water nearby. So much good happens when we explore nature.
Do chores together: Doing chores together is a good way to teach about the importance of contributing to the family and spending time together. For example, when my child washes the dishes I’m next to her drying the dishes. Fun background music is also a great way to motivate getting chores done.
Do arts and crafts together: Arts and crafts are a great way to bond and express yourself. Find a craft that you are interested in doing and work on it together.
Play a game together: My daughter and I love to play games together. It’s one of her favorite ways to spend time together.
Cook together: Cooking together is great so the child learns a new skill but also there is something so wonderfully bonding about it.
Read a book together: Let your child pick out a book for you to read. They love hearing us read and change our voices.
Take a daily picture: Taking daily silly pictures is a fun way to bond and have a good laugh together.
When you are having bonding time make sure that it is a part of your routine. Make it around the same time or after the same activity. For example, Mommy/Audrey time is after lunch every day for us. My daughter knows it’s coming and is excited for it.
As for my other children, my two-year-old is content with me ready a book and giving her a big hug. She loves to cuddle. My 5-month-old loves it when I feed him. All my children are at different stages and as they get bigger, I will learn when is the best time for them to have a designated bonding time.