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Babies require a lot of care and attention from their parents. However, studies show that as children grow older, they need even more quality time and attention from the people they love. As a parent, how you treat your child will have long-lasting effects on them. Spending quality time with your child is more than just making memories, it’s about building your relationship with them.
Intentional time spent helps to strengthen any relationship. As you spend quality time with your child, your relationship will only grow stronger over time. Prioritizing bonding time with your child shows them that you love them while allowing them to get to know you.
Our lives are busy. From work, caring for the home, and other tedious responsibilities, it’s hard to find free time. Many times you are left with mom guilt as you hand over the tablet or turn on the TV, feeling like you haven’t spent time with your children. Even if your kids aren’t begging for your attention, it’s important to remember that they need validation from you (even if they don’t know how to say it or express it). Just as your adult relationships need nurturing, your relationship with each one of your children needs love, care, time, and attention.
No matter how old your child is, they will always benefit from some one-on-one time from Mom. It is important to build a relationship with your child from birth, so it’s never to early to spend quality time with your child. If you have more than one child, make it a priority to give each child your dedicated attention. Every child is different and they deserve individual attention with you to develop the relationship.
Quality time with your child may not always look the same and change over the years. As an infant quality time together means cuddling and kisses. When your child is a toddler, quality time may look like running around with lots of giggles. As a pre-teen, quality time with Mommy may mean playing video games together or going out for a manicure and pedicure. Find your child’s likes and interests and capitalize on the things they enjoy.
Through consistent quality time, your children get to see who you are and how you live your life. Your consistent and positive impact will help your child to get to know you and learn to trust you. Your child’s trust may not mean much to you as a toddler, but as a teenager having your child’s trust will mean the world to you. The more your child knows and trusts you, the more comfortable they will feel about opening up to you about what they may be dealing with or going through in the future.
My pre-teen tells me everything with confidence – good or bad. Ever since he was a toddler, I have freely conversed with him. Not only did talking to him at a young age teach him new words, but it taught him that Mommy cared about what he had to say. Over the years, I have gained his trust through simple conversations. He trusts me with his feelings and we talk about everything from to his friends to his fears. The fact that he stills comes to me without hesitation means the world to me.
Quality time with your child is one of the best gifts a parent can give to a child. Getting to know them for who they are and embracing them for their unique qualities is priceless. You don’t have to spend money to have quality time with your child. Instead, focus on building the relationship and getting to know one another.
5 Easy Ways to Spend Quality Time With Your Child Every Day
1. Schedule time in your daily routine. Schedule time each day to spend time with your child. Just as you plan a lunch date with a friend or date-night with your husband, carve out time each day to spend uninterrupted time with your little one. Create habits around your daily time together so your child will look forward to spending time with you. This Mom Do-It-All Planner can help you to keep track of your busy schedule.
2. Ask them to join you. If you have something to do, ask your child to join or accompany you. Do you have to run errands? Ask if he or she wants to tag along. Do you have to cook dinner? Ask your child to be your sous chef. You can use the time to learn something new about one another while having a pair of extra hands to help you.
3. Have a special thing you enjoy doing together. Engage in a special hobby, routine, or activity for you and your child to enjoy together. Capitalize on their likes and interests. Go out of your way to make it a special time the two of you can enjoy together.
This Mother and Daughter Journal is a great way for the two of you to share your thoughts with one another. There is also a Mother and Son Journal to pass back and forth as a bonding activity.
4. Verbally affirm them. Let your child know you notice him or her by verbally affirming and acknowledging them. When they do good things, be sure to encourage them or tell them you are proud of their achievements. Words of affirmation from Mom can help build their confidence more than you know.
Click here for a list of affirmations to say to your son.
Click here for a list of affirmations to say to your daughter.
5. Have meaningful conversations. Make time to have meaningful conversations with your child. Ask thoughtful questions that will cause them to think and engage with you. Be intentional and answer their questions with honesty. As you converse with your child, they will get to know them as they get to know you.
I hope these tips help!
Sincerely, Victoria
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