Childhood is a beautiful, fun, fleeting time. When you have children you have the unique opportunity to relive some of the magic of childhood and introduce some of that wonder back into your life. But, we get it. You have a million responsibilities, and that makes it hard to separate yourself from the mundane tasks of life as an adult. Getting your kids to school, going to work, maintaining a household, cooking dinner, working out—the list goes on and on.
With all of the distractions in today’s world and in one’s everyday life, it’s important to set aside time to engage and appreciate your children as they are today. Spending quality time with your children may seem like a no-brainer, but it is crucial to make a conscientious effort to put down the to-do list and spend quality time with your children and family. Creating lasting memories that children look back on and appreciate is something that any parent can do. Here are some simple ways you can introduce more quality time into your daily routine.
Play With Them
When you see your child engaging in pretend-play and exercising their imagination, join in! Playing with your children is a great way to bond and show them that you are interested in what they are doing and saying. And plus, when else in your adult life is it okay to pretend to be a princess and build a blanket fort in your living room? Embrace the silliness for the short time you have it.
Have a Themed Dinner Night
We all know that cooking and eating together as a family is something that builds strong family bonds and creates a time for families to talk and connect on a deeper level. Try taking that one step further by introducing a themed dinner night at least once a week. Themed dinner nights are a great way to get your children excited about a mid-week family meal. Maybe one week it’s taco night and another you transform your kitchen into an Italian pizzeria. Whatever it is, create excitement around it and encourage children to jump in and help with the preparation. Ultimately, putting forth the effort for your family will enable some great quality time and help to create those long-lasting memories.
Take a Walk
When was the last time just you and your child took a walk together? Walks are not only a great way to experience nature and get some exercise, but they’re also a great way to spend quality time with your children. If your children are of school age, try taking a walk around the neighborhood or park and talk about what happened at school, what class they’re enjoying most, how their extracurriculars are going, etc. With younger children, use this as a time to explore nature and talk. Spending quality time together doesn’t have to involve an elaborate plan. A simple walk is all it takes to slow down the pace of everyday life and spend quality time with your children.
Bedtime Routine
We know that routines are an important part of everyday family life, but have you ever thought about sneaking in some quality time with your children during your routine? When your kids are brushing their teeth and putting on their pajamas, think about it as an avenue for quality time. Try reading their favorite bedtime story with them or a chapter of a longer book. If your child is getting older and wanting more independence, try helping them get ready for the day ahead and pack up their school supplies.
Does this inspire you to put away your list of chores and errands and spend some quality time with your children? We hope so. Quality time together doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. All that matters is that you dedicate yourself to that time and fully engage with your children. After all, they’re only young once, so take full advantage of the magic of childhood while you can and create those forever memories.
