Going to our work,
driving the kids, preparing the meal, and attending to the household chores is
necessary, but all of these also mean less time with our kids. Based on the
recent study, there is only a slight difference in the amount of time women
spend doing household chores compared to men. This means that we tend to get
pulled in different directions. Our work, marriage, and taking care of the
house are all essential things; however, there are healthy ways to handle our
responsibilities. These can help us avoid neglecting any of these factors and create
a meaningful time with our kids.
Make Sure to Have a Meal Together
Mealtime is one of
the important family-bonding moments. It is where you and your kids can have a
meaningful conversation and catch up on what’s happening in their lives today.
Make sure that you set definitive rules when the family is in the dining area.
It would help to ban the electronic gadget and let them focus on their healthy
meal and the conversation. You may also encourage the kids to assist you in
preparing the food. It will not hurt to sacrifice the cleanliness of your
kitchen to have a significant time with the kids. Make their mealtime a
priority. Ensure that they will have fun at the dining table and not quarrel
over the few pieces of veggies.
Make it a Fun Ride
Living in LA, I
know some people who hate driving their kids because it takes too much of their
time. But not me; I do enjoy this since I have an extra 40 minutes to have a
meaningful conversation with them. It’s like a magical opportunity to update
myself on what’s happening with their lives and their friends. During that
specific time, none of us were busy. They are not doing their homework, and I
do not attend to my work and household chores.
The Tech-Free Zone
Take the gadgets
and computers out of their bedroom where you cannot monitor them. Place it in
the living room; that way, you will see them more often and talk to them while
you are doing your simple chores. It will also be great to play their games so
you will have something in common and something to talk about. However, you
should also set the timeframe when using these gadgets.
What if You Don’t Have Time?
Some of our work
schedules are too tight that we won’t be able to stop until 3:00 am; however, you
still have a chance to talk with them by using a ‘Phantom Time.’ Some kids
highly appreciate the small notes that their Mom leaves on their lunchboxes.
You can also take advantage of today’s technology and record a short video. You
only need to be creative to show your love to the kids.
Giving your kids a
fraction of your time opens many learning opportunities. It is also a chance
for them to be heard. Make sure that you invest even a small portion of your
time in your kids since this is the best way to connect with them.
Tips When Planning Indoor or Outdoor
Activities for the Kids
It is always
essential to offer your kids diverse indoor and outdoor activities to support
their physical and mental development. When they are in their development
stage, they must be exposed to various activities with different intensity
levels. The amount of movement required by your kids will highly depend upon
their age. Children less than five years old who can already walk should remain
physically active for at least 3 hours every day. It will be challenging for
you to plan indoor and outdoor play dates to support their needs. Here are some
tips that will keep them active and provide them with great opportunities to
hone their social skills. It is also a perfect time to spend with them.
Tip #1: Choose a Theme for their Activity
Some little kids love
being independent; that is why you need to create ample space for their
physical activity. However, you can also set a structured time requiring only
minimal guidance. When choosing a variety of themes, make sure that all kids
will participate. It is also essential to pay good attention to their skills
and interests.
Tip #2: Spending Time with Them
Nowadays, we do
not spend much time with our kids due to our busy schedules. We need to support
the activities provided at their pre-school. If you cannot leave your house or are
too busy, you may promote indoor structured activities. Structured activities
are an organized type of game that has rules and time limits. It allows you to
be with them with only minimum supervision required. If you can go on an
outdoor adventure, try to plan a game in a nearby facility. Leave the car
behind so you will have a long time talking with each other while walking,
biking, or running.
Tip #3: Choose a Game that will Develop the 7 Senses
Yes, you heard it
right; contrary to what most people believe that we only have five senses
(taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight), we all have an additional two
senses; the vestibular and proprioceptive senses. The proprioceptive can be
located at our connective tissue and muscles. They can be triggered by movement,
which is crucial in developing motor skills. The vestibular sensory is situated
in the inner ear. It is essential in determining the direction and the speed of
the movement. When choosing a physical activity, make sure that it can
stimulate the seven senses. Some activities that develop these seven senses are
cooking, food preparation, playing a musical instrument, dancing, and listening
to music.
By thoughtful
planning of indoor and outdoor activities, you can encourage the kids to make
decisions for themselves. It is also a perfect time to instill good values in
your kids.
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