Make Quality Time With Your Child Count
Family Time: How to Make The Most of Your Limited Resources
Many parents struggle to find a balance between what they need to do each day and what they want to do. It can be particularly hard to set aside time for fun; however, it is crucial that you allow yourself the opportunity to laugh and play with your child on a daily basis. These special interactions help your child understand that you will always be there for them.
Research has also shown that kids who feel close to their parents have a better academic record and are more likely to get involved with activities outside of the home or school. Make shared time a priority; brainstorm a list of activities that you both like and use it for inspiration when you are spending time together. Remember that some of the most memorable moments with your child tend to occur unexpectedly, so try to be flexible with your daily schedule.
How to play with your child
Prioritise Your Time
Although you might have the best intentions when it comes to spending time with your children, you may have found that your busy schedule constantly gets in the way of what you want to do. One remedy for this situation is to sit down and figure out which of your activities are the most important and then proceed from there. The following tips can help you better utilize the time that you have each day.
Think about what chores you complete on a daily basis. Prioritize them in terms of importance; those that fall toward the bottom of the list should be eliminated from your daily schedule and reserved for when you have a little extra time or for when your children are asleep.
Find ways to interact with your child during mundane tasks. For example, have them help you “hunt” for groceries in the store or play a cleanup game when it is time to get the house in order. Use mealtime to talk together as a family and find out what everyone enjoyed the most about their day.
Time Management Advice
One-On-One Time And Routine
Do not neglect to spend one-on-one time with your children. While it is fine to plan activities for your family as a group, you should also reserve a small amount of time for each individual child. Kids need to feel like they are the center of your attention every once in a while, even if it is only for fifteen to twenty minutes per day. Use these opportunities to tap into your child’s unique gifts; for example, if you have a budding artist in the family, spend their quality time drawing or creating art projects.
Children respond best when they know what to expect. Make sure that you have a specific time of the day reserved just for quality time. While it is still important to engage in spontaneous play as well, having a schedule gives your child something to look forward to. These planned activities can be simple; consider going for a nature walk together or visiting a local playground.