Family time is everything, and it can be hard to come by. Even if you spend every day with your kids, from the morning chaos to the after-school clubs, it can be challenging to spend quality time together. Similarly, when you put together a plan for the family on the weekend, they’re more interested in other things, and it can feel forced and unnatural. But in those rare moments that you find time to bond and connect without any distractions, it’s certainly worth the wait. It’s also important for young children to experience these moments, as it’s likely that they will face challenges at school or with friendships, and these moments will be what helps them through blips and fallouts. If you rely on the weekends or school holidays for family time, you’re missing out on meaningful moments that can be brought into everyday life. Here are everyday ideas for more family connection.
Family Breakfasts
School mornings with young children are without a doubt stressful and hectic, making family time feel almost impossible. An easy way to encourage quality time in the mornings, without it feeling pressured, is to sit down with your children as they eat. It might be the case that you use this time to prepare other things in the morning, like their lunch boxes, but you’re also missing out on opportunities to talk naturally, ask questions and influence the rest of their day. You’ll know better than anyone that no child likes to feel like they’re being interrogated when you’re asking them questions, so try and keep it as relaxed and as lighthearted as possible. Why not ask about their plans after school, or about their friends and topics they enjoy sharing with you. It’s important when coordinating your morning breakfast with your children that you ban all distractions like phones, iPads, or even the television. At first they might rebel, but once you’re sitting down eating breakfast with them, they will naturally engage in conversation rather than look for stimulation elsewhere.
Family Walks
A second method to create more time for connection with your family is to organise a family walk. Typically, you might save these activities for weekends where you can take your time and invite other family members to join, but sometimes the best walks are those that are spontaneous and last-minute. You might choose a summer evening after school, or what about a rainy mid-week trail where everyone can put on their best wellies and coats and embrace the wet weather? Walking is a great family activity because not only is it a light form of exercise for you and the children, but it’s also an activity where children naturally engage in conversation because they aren’t distracted by toys or digital devices. It’s a good idea to keep family walks short and familiar to minimise moaning or tantrums, while promising a comforting dessert as a reward for when you return home.
Join In With Their Favourite Game
Not every parent enjoys hours of entertaining their kids or getting involved with their favourite games, but it can be an easy opportunity to bond and feel closer to them. So that you’re not having to dedicate hours of your busy routine to entertaining them, it’s beneficial to schedule in allocated time to play together, and make sure they know when this is too. You may decide to try a new activity together one time, like crafting your own photo book, filled with family photos and decorated with random crafts they find. Art and craft activities are great for improving fine motor skills while experimenting with their creativity and having fun. It’s important during this time that you too make sure you’re not distracted, so that they know they have your undivided attention.
Encourage Them To Help With Cooking or Baking
Arguably the easiest method to try with your kids to encourage more connection is asking them to help with cooking a meal or baking. It takes the load off you and is an opportunity for them to learn valuable skills that they will need as they get older. Some families choose baking over cooking as it can be more relaxed and fun, and it’s not the end of the world if something goes wrong. But if it’s practical to have some assistance with cooking meals for the family, delegate an easy task like peeling onions or mixing sauces that aren’t too hot. Spending time in the kitchen with your children encourages them to focus on the tasks they’ve been given, and allows them to take on a small amount of responsibility. You can also get the rest of the family involved and make sure everyone has an important task to complete, even if it’s as simple as setting the table so it’s ready for your meal. Some fun recipe ideas for baking include chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes or shortbread biscuits that they can decorate in different icing colours and crazy toppings.