When you have a family and a full-time job, not to mention all the other commitments you have, it can be difficult to spend as much quality time with the kid as you’d like. The good news is, quality time does not necessarily more a huge quantity of time. You busy moms need to find ways to maximize the time you do have, rather than exhausting yourself trying to find more of it. Quality time enables you to understand your child better and get to grips with their nuances and individualities. Understanding your children will help you see if any issues need addressing and better deal with these issues when they arise.
One-on-One Time
This is something that should be done daily but is not a overly time-consuming activity. Try and devote ten minutes a day to connecting with each of your children individually. Some find the best time for this in the evenings as they are getting ready for bed. A little catch-up to show you care, and that you can be trusted is all you need to do. Ensure that they know you have their best interests at heart. It also shows you have the time for them, which shows that they are valued members of the family. This is a great way to connect emotionally. In addition, being tired means that they will be more open to your queries, so if you are worried, this could be the time to ask that all-important question.
Positive Reinforcement
Get into the habit of providing positive reinforcement for good behavior. Verbal praise is always a great way to do this, as is giving little gifts. Maybe everyone could benefit if one child has gone above and beyond, such as taking the kids to the zoo or something. That way, no one is left out, and there is less resentment from your other children. Modern technology has made positive reinforcement easier, too, as you could create an iphone photography blog of your child’s progress. These could be especially good if they are into some performing art. This shows you are interested in them and proud as well. And it doesn’t take up all your time to do this.
Eat Meals as a Family
Instead of everyone having a T.V meal or eating at different times, one great way to build family cohesion is to insist on evening meals together around the dinner table. You should insist on everyone leaving their phones behind too. You could begin conversations you have thought of earlier and monitor how your children react. it is a great chance to keep an eye on your kids and ensure they are eating healthily too. Family mealtime can create bonds between siblings too, and without the distraction of the phone, they will be forced to communicate. Conversations can help make them more social animals, which will help them as they get older too. We all have to eat, so why not make use of this time to spend with the kids.
[…] So, have high expectations of them, but remember they are also a child who needs plenty of quality time out to have fun […]