It can be so hard to make sure you are pouring into each child’s attention tank as parents. Oftentimes I find myself spending more time with one or the other or even the opposite of that, not giving either child the one-on-one time they crave. So how do you make sure you are covering your bases and making everyone feel loved like they deserve from their parents?
I have some tricks up my sleeve but I will warn you, they do take planning and creativity. Hopefully I will help in those areas for you so it makes the process easier.
Date Night. I have 3 girls and they need to know how to be treated by a husband someday so their daddy takes them on one-on-one dates. We plan them out a couple of weeks ahead of time and build the hype and anticipation up in them. Some places they have gone on Date Night include local high school plays and musicals, Dave and Busters, The Wiggles, Picnic and playing at the park, ice cream run together, zoo trip, dinner and a movie.
Get Involved. Each of my girls have different interests. In fact, my two oldest couldn’t be more opposite. One is very neat and tidy and the other a little more disheveled, one likes veggies the other does not, one loves to watch tv shows and the other could care less about tv, one follows the rules and the other a rule breaker. I love their quirky differences and don’t wish one more like the other. Instead, we celebrate their differences. My middle daughter LOVES cooking. Anytime I bake something or am cooking dinner, she is right there ready to help. So why not make that some impromptu one-on-one time. I have her help me cook while the other one is off doing something she likes to do…and she doesn’t feel left out because we are doing something she has no interest in helping with.
Be interested in their interests. Our oldest daughter LOVES performing…like REALLY loves it! My husband will get her all hyped up about putting on a show and they will act out movies she loves. Annie, Pocahontas, Frozen…are some of her favorites. They get costumes on, assign roles, and then perform for the family. It is one of our favorite activities to watch/do.
Surprise your kids individually! Whether it is bringing lunch to their school or signing them out of school early, find fun ways to surprise your kids. You could even declare it “Donut Monday” or whatever it may be. Be creative! We like to have lunch with our oldest at school every once in a while.
Let them stay up late- every now and then! Give each child one night that they get to stay up late with mom and dad. This is special time for them to play a game or talk with the parents.
Put your phone down. Many times we miss out on connecting with our kids because our faces are turned into a screen rather than our kids. Yes, there is a reason that moms are on their phones a lot, but try putting it down. When your child is trying to tell you something, put your phone down and give them eye contact. Consider setting down the phone from after school to bedtime even.
Read a book together. Once your child is able to read, pick out a book to read together. You can then discuss the characters and what you think is going to happen. Some books my oldest and I enjoy are Charlotte’s Web, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Freckle Juice, James and the Giant Peach.
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