I am a mother of 3 little rambunctious and very willful kids. At times I have found myself wondering why I felt so beat and at the end of my rope with my kids! I was in “survival mode” to be honest and I felt as though I was losing my kids (and my sanity)… and they are just kids! How was I suppose to get through teenage years if I couldn’t even get through the little years with them?
Well I’m not one to sit around and let a problem muster and develop without a fight to make things right. So on my way I went! I read parenting books, nanny tricks, talked to other moms, teachers and even went as far as seeing a professional counselor to see if they had something to help me “deal” with my kids in the perfect way.
Turns out, nothing is perfect, there’s not a pamphlet to raising kids and nothing was working or at least that fit what my kids and I needed. I tried about everything! One day I stumbled across a book on Amazon that was highly rated (there has continued to be great things in that book!). I took what felt like “my last chance”… and there it was! a tip in that book that all of a sudden seemed so simple, yet it was very profound in how “we” were changing! How could that be? It was too simple!
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Well here it is… One tip to help strengthen your relationship with your kids and start enjoying life with them more! I just spent 15 minutes 2 times a day with each child, exclusive attention just for them, no tweets, texts, calls, phones or anything else that could take your attention during your time together. I do whatever they (reasonably) want that requires actual interaction(I don’t do movies and I also try not to “parent” while we play); Books, games, play dough or just plain snuggling. Keep it simple!
My Favorite Parenting Course
Since then, my husband and I have taken an INCREDIBLE Parenting course that has changed our home in so many ways. This was one of the key principles along with many other very helpful tips. I highly recommend the free webinar they do for parents on “How to Get Your Kids to Listen Without Nagging or Yelling.”
Raising kids still isn’t perfect of course, never will be, that’s what makes life interesting, right!? But it’s been night and day difference for me and my kids… I hope this can help you strengthen your relationship with your kids!
I would love to hear your comments on how this strengthened your relationship with your kids!
Lori says
This is excellent advice. I too have found that there is something amazing about just taking a moment to give my kids my full attention and make them feel loved and known by me. It restores our relationship, it reminds ME of the things I LOVE about each one of my children and it restores all of our desire to be kind to one another and that makes ALL the difference. I find the times I need to do this with one of my kids the MOST is when I feel like doing it the least. When we have had a hard day and are clashing, it can work wonders to slow down and connect with them in just a few moments of fun together. Thanks for sharing a great post.
Grace says
I think this is a wonderful idea. Let me get this straight: it’s only one kid at the time, right? (I mean, at this special time of the day the kid is not supposed to share your attention with anyone, not even his siblings)
Jamie says
Yes, one kid at a time. each needs that individual time