Positive Parenting: One on One Time
|Now.. I am just a mother and just a mother of two. So by no means am I a parenting expert. However, I have (some) strong views about parenting and how positive parenting can do a lot of good. A while back we shared our little reward chart craft and top tips and they work wonders for us. Another thing I TOTALLY believe in, is quality one on one time.
Both kids regularly have “just me” time – my daughter most mornings when her brother is at nurser. My son most lunchtimes, when my daughter is napping. But these are not QUALITY sessions. I am usually running around (ahem blogging), meeting playdate friends or going to the supermarket doing small home chores. Yes, they get “me”, but they don’t get “me 100%!
So this weekend, we have planned something special for both kids (and we will have to do something similar again in reverse soon).
My son went off on a Big Boys camping trip with just Daddy and Grandpa!
There were some tears when he left, as he wanted me to come with him.. so I think he will have gotten two things out of this weekend: it is ok to leave Mum behind. And it s great to have an adventure with Daddy and Grandpa.
My Daughter of course wanted to go too. But she is still a little to young. So I promised her, what I know she wanted to do for ages: painting fingernails! She has been asking about it for weeks now. So, I decided to indulge her.
I know it sounds like terrible gender typing, but seriously, this is what she wanted (apart from camping, which she is allowed to do next year). So we went shopping. Bought nail varnish, some “party shoes” (and with that an outfit – lucky girl) and then went to coffee shop for juice and cake.
Once we got home (and to also ensure it isn’t “all about shopping shopping shopping), we sat down for a good 40 mintues: Cleaned and trimmed our fingersnails, soaked our hands in warm soapy water, dried them gently and and then added lovely (ahem) nailvarnish. I did hers. She did mine ( a great bit of fine motorskills there too!).
Oh.. and yesterday, I took my son for a one on one cake at the coffee shop too. And if my son wants to paint his nails when gets back from camping he is welcome too! According to my daughter, Daddy will get his toe nails painted when he gets home!
This is one of our approaches to Positive Parenting: Quality One on One time. They all need it!
So true! I try to give my kids time just with me each day. Some days we don`t quite make it but my older son, who probably needs it a bit more, usually has me and just me after his nap if his brother is still sleeping {My children are 2.5 & 1.5}. I am trying to be more intentional with my time with them especially when I can see a chance for it to be just me and one of them and do what THEY want to do.
Kind of like Mind Body & Soul time {Positive Parenting Solutions, Ms Mcreedy}. I am careful to put everything else on hold, my phone completely away from me and make sure that the kids are not tired/hungry because I want them to enjoy it also.
Looks like your daughter {and no doubt your son too!} had a great time!
Oh you are GOOD! I definitely do not do this properly every day!! I manage maybe a story or a quick game of I spy… but need to make more of an effort!
Top tip Maggy. I need to do this more with my 3!
Emma – I know – but it isn’t always easy to fit it in!! I guess… every few months do it consciously! But you do a great job on the Kids Get Arty with your middle one!
My kids each have a ‘special project’ on the go … nothing to do with what they’re learning at school, and all to do with what they are interested in at a given time. I spend time with each of them helping them to find answers to whatever questions they have or whatever they may want tam ale or test. My Son 7.5 yrs has recently started competing in Triathlons, so together we are finding out about wetsuits …. obviously ties in nicely with all the Olympics action this Summer …. my 5yr old daughter has been finding out about Paris and deciding what she’d like to do there when we go later in the Summer. Otherwise playing chess and reading books with them also provides great focus or excuse for 1:1 time
Ooh what a great idea to focus on projects! Ensuring time together of a period of time. Love it!!! 🙂
My kids each have a ‘special project’ on the go … nothing to do with what they’re learning at school, and all to do with what they are interested in at a given time. I spend time with each of them helping them to find answers to whatever questions they have or whatever they may want tam ale or test. My Son 7.5 yrs has recently started competing in Triathlons, so together we are finding out about wetsuits …. obviously ties in nicely with all the Olympics action this Summer …. my 5yr old daughter has been finding out about Paris and deciding what she’d like to do there when we go later in the Summer. Otherwise playing chess and reading books with them also provides great focus or excuse for 1:1 time
So important to have one on one time with our kids especially when competing with siblings attention. My daughter and I love to paint fingernails together too.
Thank you for linking up to the Sunday Parenting Party, and I hope you come back again tomorrow to link up.
Rebekah @ The Golden Gleam recently posted..Halloween Witch Brew {Messy Play in the Sink}
Yes! I totally agree!! Today, The Boy and I had a walk in the park together. Was lovely!! 🙂