How we plan to spend 10 intentional minutes a day being present with our kids
For us, we know that our kids will do as we do. When we spend more time in front of the TV or on our phones, it has a direct impact on their behaviour. But this can be hard when we feel physically and emotionally burnt out from the overwhelming mental load, we carry each day. We use screens as a mental break and then at the end of the day we are left feeling guilty and constantly questioning how we can give even more when we are pouring from an empty cup.
We see you and we are you. We are the mums who are in a state of constant exhaustion, doubting ourselves and questioning our parenting abilities. The more we have researched the more confident we are that it doesn’t matter if the dishes haven’t been done, if we have used more dry shampoo in the week than we would want to admit. The most important thing we can do as parents truly is to give our time to our child and be present with them. Because being present communicates to them that they are significant and worthy of our time.
So, if you feel like this but also you just don’t have the time to come up with ideas, we’ve got you. Here are 30 simple activities you can do with the kids in 10 minutes or less each day. They are fun and they will send a clear message to your kids about the importance of time spent together.
- Hide and seek
- Treasure hunt
- Dinner questions and fun topics
- Memory game
- Dice game
- Hand massage
- Uno
- Pairs Drawing on the mirror
- Shooting hoops
- Whats the time mr wolf
- Making a juice
- Colouring
- Doctors
- Schools
- Headbands
- Braclet making
- Cherades
- Yoga
- Make a chatterbox
- Letter writing for grandparents
- Start a band / dancing singing
- Going through baby books
- Tracing hands
- Painting nails
- Rainbow rice
- Nurf gun shooting
- Squiz
- Hiding the pegs
- Buiding a cubby
- Balloon - keepy uppy game
There is nothing groundbreaking here, and it really doesn’t need to be. Setting this time just helps our kids feel that they are valued, important and loved. It creates a sense of belonging, emotional connection, and enjoyment at the end of the day.
We aren’t trying to put too much pressure on ourselves or make out like its easy, we are just trying to shift our priorities. Already we have make adjustments fit this time in. But rather than seeing this as an extra task we’re really trying hard to take the mental shift that we can’t do it all, and that’s ok, we are just making the things we value more as a family, become a bigger priority.
If you haven’t already, head over to our Instragam, where we will share daily stories of what we are doing. We hope to chat to you soon.
Xx
Tan & Deb