Abigail Van Buren said it best when she said, "If you want your Children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money". Many parents are really busy, and finding quality time to be with your kids can be a big challenge. The secret is not to find time, but to "MAKE" time. Making memories with your children doesn't have to cost much, and here are ways to spend quality time with them and not spend a penny.
Disconnect. Unplug. Reconnect: No Television, Ipads, Kindles, Leapsters, Video Games, Electronics, etc. for 30 minutes a day.
Carpe Diem: Seize the Moment: When you are busy and your children are seeking your attention, SEIZE THE MOMENT. When you hear that little voice saying, "Mom, come see what I made", instead of saying, "In five minutes", say "for five minutes". It will blow their minds, because they are so used to you saying wait and hold on. You basically seize the moment, and create quality time with your children.
Family Game Night:Take a deep breath and blow the dust off the board games. Be honest with yourself, you know that they have been sitting on the shelf and the dust bunnies are multiplying. It is time to send those bunnies hopping and introduce the games to your children. Many games can be enjoyed by both children and adults and in addition to family time, the games provide learning opportunities. They can be played and children will not know that they are learning at the same time. They are creative and can aid in helping the children with their memory, gross motor skills, math skills, fine motor skills, and reading, while providing loads of laughs and fun for the whole family.
Plan an Indoor Picnic: Break the monotony of dinner. Get your children involved and let them help you. Have a picnic inside a fort that you create from blankets and have breakfast for dinner.
Have a "Date" Night: Be spontaneous...When it's bedtime, take time to relax, talk, sing, and read together. Make it your "special time. Turn your phones off and do special projects together. Spend time together and create memories.