10 Ways To Set Up Special Time With Your Child

It is so important to set up special time with your child during the week. Families get pulled in so many different directions, whether their responsibilities are work-related or school-centric. Because of this, parents should set time aside to bond with each child separately. Coming together at the end of the day is beneficial for everyone.

How Do You Spend Quality Time With Your Child?

Whether or not your child verbalizes this need, they want your undivided attention and it’s easier to give to them than you think. Do you need to set up elaborate dinner dates or movie nights? Absolutely not.

While it’s nice to occasionally head out to the theater and have a fun night out with your child, a simple few minutes on the couch reading their favorite book will do. You don’t have to spend money to bond and that is a lesson that many people need to learn, myself included.

10 Ways To Set Up Special Time With Your Child

Let’s take a look at how we can set up some very special one-on-one time with our children that will strengthen the bond between both parent and child.

Isolate From The Rest Of The Family

Do something with just one child at a time. If you only have one son or daughter, then make sure one parent takes them away to do something special without the other involved.

Go somewhere where you won’t be disturbed; either to another room or to a favorite local spot in town. During your break, figure out how you’d like to use your session. Will you dance, draw, cook, read, paint? It’s up to you.

Create A Special Ritual

At the end of each night, consider creating a routine where you and your child get to unwind, whether that be through calming music, their favorite book, or a simple talking session is up to you. This ritual will become something that the two of you will look forward to throughout the week.

Take A Trip Together

Plan a trip together where no one else is invited. Make sure you always have a special date marked on the calendar in the near future that your little one can look forward to and daydream about. Will it be for a concert, a library visit, a weekend at Grandma’s house? The choice is yours!

Try A New Activity

Be daring! Once a week, try something new. Sit down and make a list of all the things you’ve always wanted to do and start crossing off these dreams. Take a bicycle ride at the park or try roller skating for the very first time – but do it together and alone. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Create a Family Calendar Together

If your child gets to choose what is happening during this special time, you are much more likely to have a good experience with him/her. Try planning all of your special activities a month at a time.

One of your sessions can be spent coloring and decorating a family planning calendar. Find a place to display this work of art and cross off every activity after you accomplish it.

If you have more than one child, make sure they each make their own calendar.

Have A Yes Day

When I started watching “Yes Day” with the kids, originally I was shouting how unrealistic it was for families. But then I saw that there were rules and parameters in place, which made it a bit more obtainable and probable for us to attempt.

Consider having your own Yes Day! Here are some rules to consider:

Your child gets a full day of YES. This means that whatever they ask, you have to agree.
There is a limit to the amount of money you will spend. Set that limit ahead of time.
There is also a limit to how far you will drive from your house. Will the range be ten miles? Mark it on a map and help them understand that no one is going to Disney.
Sugar intake – an important discussion to have. While dessert should be a part of a YES DAY, it shouldn’t be ALL ABOUT SUGAR. Limit that intake to one or two sessions.

Make A Project Together

Make special handprint crafts like wall hangings or mobiles together, have an outdoor art session using sidewalk chalk or watercolors on cardboard boxes, or simply play with a bucket of paint and see what happens.

Schedule 15 Minutes Every Day With Each Child

This is a wonderful idea and really is a great way to make every child in your family feel important. You know your children best. How important will they feel if every single day you carve out 15 solid minutes of your night to dedicate fully to them – uninterrupted? No phones. No interruptions. All eyes and ears on your little.

Think about what they love and cater to their needs:

Is your child affectionate? Make sure to cuddle with them.
Does your child love to cook? Have them help out with dinner.
Have an active spirit? Get outside and run around with them.
Raising an old soul? Bring them with you to run errands.

Having a busy day and have four kids at home? You don’t have to set aside 15 minutes to do ONLY KID things. Incorporate your children into what you are doing and strengthen your bond that way if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Be Spontaneous With Your Quality Time

Do not be afraid to throw your children off guard once in a while by doing something fun together at the last minute. I know I just said make sure you have time for them every day, but also… relax!!

If one night you feel like going out for ice cream and it wasn’t on the family calendar, go for it. If another night you want to build a fort, please do! Families need to stay fluid.