Their only young once

As a mother of two, a question I often find myself asking is, “How do I ensure I’m spending enough quality time with my children individually?”

Many of you, I'm sure, ask yourselves the same question; especially those with one or more children.

After talking with fellow moms and coming up with a few of my own ideas, here’s what I can offer you in light of spending enough quality time with each of your children:

• Read to your children- Spend a little time each day reading to your children. Hold your child (if they're still small enough) while you read so they’re in close reach.

• Run errands together- Pick a child per day or per week and have him or her run errands with you alone, if possible.  Talk to this child and listen to what he/she has to say when they talk.  (If you don’t have anyone to watch your other children then this won’t work.)

• Do chores together- Pick a child per day or per week and have them do chores alongside you.  Let this  particular child wash dishes with you, cook/bake with you, do laundry together, etc.  While you’re working, talk with this child and listen as they talk back to you.

• Mommy/Child Dates- Forget the grocery shopping and the bank runs.  Take this child out for ice cream, a trip to the park, etc. and just have fun.  Girls love manicures/pedicures if it’s in your budget to do so.  Sons love boy toys.  Take him to a sporting store and even if you don’t buy, have fun looking at what he enjoys.

• Daddy/Child Dates- Your children need their father’s undivided attention as much as they need yours.  My daughter loves going on Daddy/Daughter Dates as much as she does Mommy/Daughter Dates.

• Devotions- There are several out there that you can purchase and are age appropriate.  

• Prayer- You can pray with and for each child at some point throughout the day.  Whether you start your morning this way or end your day this way, it’s a great tool to use to teach your children how to pray, to let your child know you’re praying for them, and to spend a few moments of one-on-one time with your child.

• Games/Puzzles- Children love playing games and putting puzzles together.  Let your child pick out a game or puzzle and go at it.

“It's not about spending the same amount of time with each child but about spending the amount of time each child NEEDS you to spend with them. Some need MORE and some don't need as much.” -Unknown

If you have to “schedule” time on your calendar with each child to make sure you’re fitting everyone in, then please, by all means schedule that time.  Make it a priority to spend quality time with each of your children individually.  Invest in the lives of your children physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  It will pay off in dividends in the long run.

There really are so many opportunities you can take advantage of to spend quality time with each of your children. You just have to be willing to make it a priority.