Do you want to connect with your child?
Do you wish you could spend more quality time with your children?
Are you worried you’re not spending enough time with your kids?
Are you wanting to strengthen your relationship with your children?
There were moments last year when I went to bed and upon reflecting on the day I realized that I had done a lot for my children but nothing with my children. My days were full of homeschooling, lesson prep, laundering their favourite clothing items, mending their toys, and driving them to activities.
While all these things are demonstrations of a mother’s love for her children, I realized that my children may not process the significance of these activities and may interpret their mom as too busy to be with them.
Some days I do a lot for my children but I've done nothing with them. #parenting Click To Tweet
At the beginning of this year, I made it my mission to spend focused, quality time with my children. I want them to know that they are important and that I enjoy doing things with them.
Rather than make a strict schedule of activities, I jotted out a list of possibilities and made it a goal that I would do something from the list every single day. It’s not a “bucket-list” per se but rather a one stop place for inspiration.
Today I thought I would share that list with you. I haven’t done everything on this list (nor do I think I’ll do everything) but it’s a starting point.
30 Delightful Ways to Connect With Your Child
– bake a multi-layered cake or a monster cookie
– play a board game
– play with play dough together; work towards a mutual goal (i.e. a scene, a bakery)
– have a tea party
– have a camp-out in the living room (complete with s’mores and hot cocoa)
– colour a picture together (some of the most beautiful conversations have come from colouring side-by-side with my oldest daughter)
– play together with their toys… try something collaborative like Lego
– make a pizza together
– surprise them by letting them stay up later one night to watch a movie
– have a book “club”; read a book together and discuss at the end of every chapter
– build a massive fort in the living room
– have a picnic on the kitchen floor
– listen, listen, listen… children want to be heard
– snuggle with them
– create a silly photo booth complete with props and take lots of pictures
– work together to create a puppet show for the rest of the family
– have a dance party
– look at family photo albums together
– tell stories about things they did when they were little; children love to hear tales about themselves
– share stories about your childhood
– play hide and seek
– listen to some music and play/sing along with tambourines and maracas
– create an event or a celebration together; the Days of the Year website lists practically every wacky “holiday” you could imagine
CONNECT WITH YOUR CHILD OUTSIDE
– create a “treasure hunt” for them; leave messages of love with every clue
– cloud or star watch outside
– go on a “date”; take your children out separately for dinner, ice cream, or the library
– go for a nature walk
– play together at the playground
– blow and chase bubbles
– go berry picking or flower picking; (optional: pack a picnic)
Check out these 30 delightful ways to connect with your child! #parenting Click To TweetI plan on extending this list as I think of more ideas.
Do you find that sometimes you do more things for your children than with your children? Do you wish you could find more ways to connect with your child?
Psst – All of these ideas can be found on this handy download (plus there are 6 additional fun ideas)!
Here is a list of ways to connect with your child. Be inspired and connect today!
SHARE WITH OTHERS
I love this Jen as some days I truly feel like I haven’t done half of what I could do, but then I do lack ideas sometimes, as well. So this truly is a huge help and am going to definitely going to try a few of your ideas now with the girls!! :) xoxo!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Janine and I’m delighted that some of these ideas excited you!
That statement got me. I spend SO much time doing things FOR my kids, I don’t take enough time to do things WITH my kids!
Great ideas Jennifer!
Thanks Chris… I’m enjoying doing more things with my children.
I love all of these! A lot of them we already do, but there are some in here that I WANT to do! Thanks Jennifer!
You’re so very welcome Echo! I would love to hear what activities you do try out.
I love this list! My husband and I have started compiling something similar… it’s SO SO SO important for families to spend time and play together! Thanks for sharing you Super Mom!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
I’m so glad you enjoyed this list and I love that you were already working on your own! Awesome!
I may have to borrow some of the points from your list! If you don’t mind, hehe! <3
I took some time off but I’m back (though not quite). I am loving these ideas of yours. I do a bit with my own daughter but I know there is so much more I can do. It just seems like I need more than 24 hours in a day. :) Here’s to a great week!
I hear you! Sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day too… unfortunately 24 is all we’ve got to work with!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Amanda!
These are such cute ideas. I’m looking forward to being able to do activities with my little.:)
Thank you Julie! I love trying to think up cool things to do with my kiddos.
Lately, I’ve been doing more for my children than doing things with them. I’m going to make a point of doing something special today WITH them before we leave for our anniversary vacation. Thanks for the much needed reminder. <3
It’s easy to slip into the caretaking role with little ones. I’m happy this served as a gentle reminder to do something with them.
Enjoy your anniversary vacation!
What a delightful list of things to do that would bring joy in the moment! I also want to savor those moments with my children.
I’m glad you enjoyed this Susan. It the moments like these that have such an impact.
I love this list! I especially love the photo booth idea.
I’m really excited about the photo booth idea. I think we’re going to have a blast with it!
Oh this hit me in the feels! I’m pinning this post. I frequently find myself doing things FOR my kids but not with my kids….it’s a good reminder is that what they need most is ME.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this and found it helpful. Thank you for pinning!
This is just loads of good ideas! What a great resource to refer back to when you are feeling a bit burnt out and out of ideas. I will definitely be coming back to this list!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Sarah. I had a hoot writing out the list… I can’t wait to do some of these. We’ve tackled a few already but I’m really looking forward to that monster cookie… and the photo booth!
Wonderful ideas! Making pizza together is fun :)
Homemade pizzas are THE best! We have such fun making (and eating) them.
I like this reminder, Jennifer. In the midst of running errands, running the house, and trying to fit in a spot of ‘me’ time, the day can certainly get away from you. I appreciate the suggestions.
I’ve always wanted to share a printable like this, but perhaps you should make your list into one so I could just print it out. :)
I will definitely be adding the Days of the Year to our list – how fun!
I wanted to make a printable but time got away from me. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I definitely will (and I’ll let you know when it’s done).
Thanks!
Totally! I’ve been thinking a lot on how I spend my time everyday and I felt like I’ve ignored my daughter. I mean, we are together most of the time but it seems like I needed to do more and spend more time with her not just do things that she needs. Be with her physically/emotionally/spiritually. Thanks for these ideas. Will definitely take note of it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this and that you could identify with it Danielle. I hope you find some great activities to help you connect more often with your daughter!
I was feeling the same way before this weekend. I made a point to take my kids for a little outing. It was nice to reconnect. This is a great list.
A little outing can make a huge difference… for them and for you!
Thanks for visiting and sharing.
We live such busy lives that simply connecting with our loved ones is so important! What a wonderful post! I will save for myself and share!
Maria
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Maria! Thank you for sharing.
Ahhh! I love this Jennifer! I’ve had the same exact thoughts, like I do stuff FOR them all day, but you’re so right…THEY may not process any of that as my way of showing love for them. I love this list of ideas you came up with, totally pinning for my own inspiration. Dang, you are knocking the posts OUT this year, loving all the inspiration I’m getting from your blog!
I am blushing… what a lovely compliment. Thank you Jessica!
I hope this list provides some inspiration for you.
LOVE these ideas! I can’t wait to share my favourite things with my son like walking in the meadow, harvesting veggies and fruit from the garden, hide & go seek… ahhhh being a mom is such a great excuse to keep being a kid, isn’t it? I hope I never have to “grow up”!! Thanks for these fun ideas!
Stephanie @ Mommyzoid
I love the ideas that you shared Stephanie… your son will definitely enjoy those activities.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
I really love that quote. I spend entire days doing things FOR my children, but not with them.
Even right now, well.. I’m reading your blog so I guess that’s not really for or with them, except for the education, so I’m going with FOR them.
Scarlet loves everything on your list! Right now her favorite things to do with us are sledding, reading books, puzzles, board games, and going to Disney World.
Of course.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Tamara.
I love what Scarlet loves… those are great activities. One day I will go to Disney World (and meet Donald Duck)!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on connecting with your children.
YES! I LOVE this and it’s so true. You hit home and made me realize I need to do MORE. (If it’s possible…) Sharing. And CONGRATS on Huff Po! So happy for you! See…persistence pays off…2015 will be deliberately spectacular!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Kristen… and that it resonated with you.
Thank you for the congratulations! Persistence is right! I was submitting weekly for months. Finally they let me in… and there’s my cake-eating mugshot! LOL
Exciting times!
Hello Jennifer, I love this list!
I am sure you will come up with more creative ideas.
Meanwhile, I will start with some of those things you shared here.
Cheers and God bless.
I’m glad you enjoyed this list Ifeoma. Yes, I’m sure I will be adding more as time goes on.
Love this list! So many simple ideas. No need to be super extravagant! They just want our time & attention. :)
Exactly Emily! The simple things really do satisfy!
My son’s favorite activity is to run, around the house throwing his baby brother’s sensory balls at each other. They’re soft enough not hurt or break anything (for the most part) and we get some exercise in the winter. Everyone wins!
Ha! sounds like an awesome and fun time!
Thanks for sharing.
I am definitely guilty of doing more FOR than WITH my kids! Especially with my oldest. Since she’s most self-reliant of the bunch (I have three when I count the daycare baby) she often gets left alone to play Legos or play dough or what have you while I’m changing diapers, feeding babies and getting the boys to nap. By the end of the day she’s starved for attention. So I usually let her stay up later than her brother I and read with her or do a quiet activity of her choice with her for a half hour before she goes to bed. It’s not perfect, but it seems to fill her love tank for now.
It’s challenging to balance this, isn’t it?! It sounds like you found a way to connect more though. “Filling the love tank”… perfect.
Hi Jennifer, it is easy to forget that children don’t really count the things we do for them as being too busy to spend time with them. Just making time to do one thing a day with them not only makes them feel good, it helps to create some lasting memories.
A surprise past bedtime family movie with popcorn is always going to be a winner, but so too is just colouring away whilst sharing thoughts and feelings. I must say that since I started blogging we have spent many an hour laughing through old photos.
With older children it is harder to spend quality time with them. The other night we were all sat around each selecting songs to watch on YouTube and singing badly along to them..It was fun and we all had a laugh at the old 80’s music videos.
I’m trying to spend as much quality time as I can with my children, especially because as you mentioned… it become harder to do so, with the older the get!
Awesome list… thanks so much. Sometimes I feel like I’m running on empty and have trouble being creative in thinking of ways to connect with my kiddos. I overthink, too. It’s the simple things. Pinning to use.
The simple things seem to go the farthest too (and you’re more likely to do them because they’re easier to implement)!
Thanks for pinning Celeste!
Can I just say how freaking genius you are! As I am reading through this list, nodding with each idea, saying “OH YEAH! I LOVE THIS!” you have the tweets in between for me to send out…they are PERFECTLY placed, almost too good because as soon as I raise my hand and think “OMG I LOVE THAT!” there’s that suggested tweet that I cant help but share!
(and now I’m pinning lol)
Oh no! Social shares entrapment… you found me out! LOL
I’m so delighted you enjoyed this. I like to think of fun and simple ideas to do with my girls and I’m thrilled to share it with you.
Thanks for tweeting, tweeting, and pinning!
Love this, Jennifer! As part of my New Year’s Resolution I started to slow down and take more time enjoying my kids. Tickle fights, trips to the parks, tea parties, you name it, I want to relish every moment I can.
Oh, Jennifer, I can absolutely relate to doing more for my children than with them. We’re probably all guilty of that at one time or another. Thanks for the reminder today that our children need us to do things for them, but they want us to do things with them.
Great list! I’m pinning this one.
I’ve done a lot of them, but I love the book club and the photo booth ideas. Thanks for sharing, my friend. xo
What a wonderful post! I love the name of your blog – it says it all really. We really need to be deliberate in our actions as it is so easy to just let the days slide by in a round of routine cleaning, cooking, washing and all the daily looking after things. Thanks for all the great suggestions – I will definitely be using this list for inspiration.
I love these ideas! Berry picking sounds like a lot of fun. I also love dates. As I was growing up my dad took my siblings and I on “daddy- daughter dates” and I always looked forward to them. They helped to build our relationship into what it’s like today.
If I can add another idea to your list I would say to have family dinners together and have discussions during them. When I was growing up my family and I had dinner discussions together and our mealtimes became very fun. We could talk and express ourselves over different topics as we ate. This was so fun for my siblings and I. There are also studies that show that having family mealtimes together decreases the chance of behavioral problems and addictions in your kids later in life. When I visit home now, my dad still pulls these out. They’re pretty neat and I think I’ll have to add them to my family meals when I have my own family someday.
Here’s the site we like to use if you’re interested!
dinnerdiscussions.com
Thanks again for these great ideas!
Thanks for sharing Amber. We enjoy conversation starters at dinner too.