Do you feel as though time is going by, that your family is becoming more and more disjointed? Or maybe you feel as though you aren’t able to get the time you need with the kids because you all have different interests. Whatever the reason, the question is how to spend more time with your family? Let’s look at at some special ideas.
Eat as a family
Make it a point to have dinner together. Eating as a family is so important. Even if you have dinner late after work or if you get takeout then you still need to make the effort to sit down together. If you can do this then you can try and engage your children in daily conversation and also answer any questions that might have come up during the day when you weren’t together. If you can keep in mind things like this and if you can take the time to book your kids in for a meal together then this will help you all to bond.
Fix things
Are there jobs to do around the house? Maybe it’s painting the kitchen or repairing something. Whether it’s a mundane task or not, it’s incredibly more fulfilling when you can show some steps to fixing it to your kid. You’re giving them valuable life skills for when they have a property in the future! Perhaps you can teach them how faucets work, for example. An underlying principle they’ll learn, too, is the importance of sticking to a task. Fixing things together gives them the chance to interact with you, and you with them too, making memories along the way.
After dinner walks
If you have already made the time to have a meal with your kids, then why not take a walk together after? In Singapore, this is a very common tradition and it is a great way for you to extend the time you have together. Talk about the changes that you see in the neighborhood and ask your children to observe the world around them, such as counting the number of birds they see. You might even find that they bring up a topic from their day or confide in you during this activity. The conversation could get deep, with them opening up to you. The time together is important!
Leave a message
Children love surprises. So, if you don’t have time to see them before you go to work, leave a note for them to find. They will love the fact that they can get a message from you and know you were thinking about them. Perhaps you wrote a joke, shared a loving message, or simply told them what’s for dinner later. The thoughtful gesture seems simple but it can be significant.
Read together
Open a book or two! Reading to your child or encouraging them to read aloud is a very good way to connect with them. Choose books that are suitable for their age and comprehension level and then discuss the topics in the pages afterward. That’s a way to explore different values and have conversations about topics that might not otherwise come up naturally. If you can, take the time to share related experiences with them and try new genres.
Play games
Another thing to do with your kids is play games. When doing so, you can teach them about the rules of the game, waiting their turn, and even classic game moves. Games like chess are great for teaching your kids strategy and you would be surprised at how much it could help them to understand different concepts. It will also go a long way when it comes to your child’s problem-solving skills. You may also find that games like Mahjong are good too, so don’t be afraid to explore different types of games.
Plan a monthly trip
Another thing you can do is plan an excursion every month or every other month. Try to think of a new place to explore as a family and then go there. It may be a theme park, pool, museum, restaurant, or somewhere else. Get your children to help you out with the excursion and plan it together. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to get the result you need out of the time that you have together.
Do good
If you want to spend some time with your teen then one thing you can do is simply talk with them. Show your teenager that they can participate in things and that they can easily make a difference in the world around them. Find a cause that they identify with and that you do as well. Sign up with it and explore as many volunteer opportunities as you can as well. This is a good way for you to spend time with each other and it also shows them that they can help others while boosting their self-esteem.
Step into their world
Sometimes children feel as though you have no interest in their activities or that you couldn’t care less about what it is they’re into right now. This probably isn’t the case, so show your child this by stepping into their world. Whether it happens to be cosplay or even building model airplanes, it is so important that you chat with your teen and that you listen to them. Learn about their hobby and make sure that you understand why it excites them. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to feel better about yourself.
Chat with them
Connect with your teen through the chat functions that you have on your phone. Even though they may not want to add you on social media, which is understandable, it is a good idea for you to send regular and short updates that encourage them to stay in touch with you. Let them know what is for dinner and ask them to be a part of making it with you. If your teen has plans then this is fine, but ask them to let you know via text or messenger. If you expect your teen to be home and they have plans, but you don’t communicate this then you may both end up being frustrated, which is the last thing you need.
Know their friends
Your teen may have a wide social circle. If you want to spend time with your teen, start to ask them who their friends are. Teenagers are often in a phase where they want to spend time with those around their age and this is fine. They are finding out who they are as a person and learning all about the world around them. If you can, open your home and welcome their friends over. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to give your teen the support network they need and that you’re interested in their life.
Show your spouse you care
Show your partner you care too! Although spending time with your kids is very important, you still need to make sure that you show your spouse that you are interested in what they have to say and their needs are still important to you. If you can show them how special you consider them to be, and vice versa, this can go a long way with your marriage.
Hopefully, one or more of these ideas helps you! When your family matters to you, and you spend time together, many great things can happen! You’ll find your relationships with them grow and that you feel the home is a place you look forward to being. Although sometimes it can take a little work, remember that the end result is always worth it.
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