Making Time for Your Children is the Key to Enjoying Parenthood

Being a parent is a very busy and demanding job- there is no dispute about that. Both working parents and stay-at-home moms and dads live through the chaos otherwise known as parenthood every day. And with homework duty, dinner preparation, bath time and the bedtime scramble, it is very easy for parents to get stuck just trying to get through the day. But it is a parent’s responsibility to do more than provide meals, clothing, and a warm bed at night. Parents need to be there to encourage growth and maturity, to provide guidance, to give love and attention, and to do all that is humanly possibly to help their children develop into well-rounded individuals. Get out of the habit of babysitting and get into the game of parenting, of truly engaging and interacting with your children. Making time for your children will provide a greater fulfillment and create an amazing family dynamic.

Time management is one of the biggest challenges families face. Juggling work, grocery shopping, household chores, and various activities, while making time for yourself and everyone else is a skill that can take years to master. It is difficult, but rest assured that it can be done. What lies at the heart of effective time-management is prioritizing what is important. Don’t let the mundane activities of life have more power than they should. Yes, the grocery shopping must be done, but chances are your family won’t starve to death if it doesn’t get done today. Sure, the laundry is piling up, but taking thirty minutes to make cookies with your 2nd grader won’t cause the hamper to explode. On your list of priorities, your children should be very high. Always put first things first.

Having a routine for daily activities will definitely help keep everyone and everything in order. Schedules are effective because children thrive on knowing what to expect. Try to have meals around the same time each day. Set aside certain times for the children to look at books or play quietly. When things get too hectic and you feel like you’re managing a zoo, make a special box for each child with their favorite activities inside- teach them that when the boxes come out, it’s time to settle down a bit. Use times when your children are napping to fold laundry, make important phone calls, prepare portions of dinner in advance, or to just sit with your feet up for 30 minutes (Never forget to take time for yourself, Mom or Dad!!). Make after dinner the time to play outside, listen to music together, or play games until bath time. Have a bedtime routine that involves individual attention for each child. Read stories to them or spend time talking about the day. Parents should even try to switch off bath and bedtime duties so that children get equal time with both Mom and Dad. What goes on during these little moments are what make being a parent so very rewarding. The best part is getting to know who your children are.

Also, get your children involved in the day-to-day activities that are necessary to running a household. The benefit of this is that you’ll be able to keep your eye on them while keeping them busy! Have young children help you load and unload the washer and dryer. Let your little ones help with setting the table; even the smallest hands can bring utensils, napkins and condiments. Make children responsible for cleaning up after meals. Teach them to bring their plates to the sink, and to throw away any napkins or trash. Let your kids pick out their own clothes and dress themselves for the day. If you’re nervous about walking around with a colorfully striped and polka-dotted 3 year old, you can teach him or her which items go together or gently suggest alternatives when they come out of their rooms looking like they jumped into a pile of patterns and colors. And for those of you who think that this seems like just too much for your child, just give it a try. Children really love the independence and confidence boost they get from being able to do things for themselves. Just remember to give lots of praise and show your appreciation for having such good helpers around!

Once time-management is worked out, you will begin to realize how much time your family has to enjoy one another. And then it is time to get down to business and play! Engage your children in activities that will stimulate their imaginations and creativity. Give them your undivided attention. Don’t just sit them in front of the TV while you go off to your computer to pay bills. Actively watch programs together as a family. Help your children understand what they are watching, using the story to help illustrate important lessons about sharing, being nice, and helping others. Don’t turn up the radio as you drive to the grocery store, hoping to keep them busy long enough to go over your list of activities in your head. Seize this time to talk to your children about the day or about what you see along your way. Sing songs together or play word or number games.

And most importantly, don’t forget that your children want to play with you. They love to see Mom and Dad getting down and dirty, rolling on the floor, crawling up the stairs, or chasing them all over the house. Kids absolutely love to see adults being silly with them, playing the games that they find so fascinating. Playing together is a time to bond and for you to learn about your busy little son or daughter. Take advantage of the many opportunities that come up for you to truly connect with your kids.

Make making time for your children a lifelong habit. Your family will function better and everyone will feel important, loved and appreciated. When your children know that they will get the time and attention they need, they won’t have to act out. And they won’t be young for long, so enjoy them! Children are amazing little peopleâÂ?¦and can be even more amazing with your guidance and love. In time, you will discover how much time you really do have to get to know your children and how wonderful parenthood really is.