In such a fast-paced world, a moment of downtime with your kids is hard to find. You may be with them all day -driving them to soccer practice, to gymnastics, or the physician–but how much time are you spending with them? The cliche saying that children grow up too fast holds gravity when you realize that you might be missing it. If you too often find yourself running around all day, whether physically or mentally, here are some healthy ways to wind down with your family.
Ideas for Slowing Down and Enjoying Parenting
When it comes down to it, there may not be enough hours in the day to spend as much time with your kids as you would like. But there are ways to take a little extra time to enjoy the process–and to be more in the moment when you are. Below are some tips for slowing down to enjoy parenting.
Relaxing & Reconnecting
Re-prioritize your to-do list to include more time with family. Block out some time outdoors with them to avoid getting sucked into straightening out the house or checking the notifications on your phone. When you approach your to-do list, do it with your little army of helpers by your side, weaving bonding into the demands of daily life. Lastly, let yourself relax into the present with your children. The best way to reconnect with them is to be mindful of your shared time.
Get Outside
Chores, the television, and video games can be huge distractions when it comes to spending quality time with your loved ones. Michelle Slatalla of Parenting.com recommends taking your family on a walk with a beloved pet to enjoy the fresh air together. Whether it be to enjoy the fall colors, the crunch of snow underfoot, or the appearance of flowers in the spring, nature is a great reprieve. People often underestimate how refreshing being outside and enjoying nature can be with their families.
Work Together
The saying “Many hands make light work” is never more true than within a family. If you have a stressful “I-must-do-it-all” mentality, do yourself a favor and let it go. As a parent, you want to give your children everything–but this should include some accountability. Giving your children jobs to help you with around the house teaches them accountability and can take a load off your shoulders at the same time. This means assigning children to help you as you clean the kitchen, cook, wash the car, or do yard work. Not only can chores turn into fun, bonding moments, they will also bring you closer as a family.
Be Present
Perhaps the most important way to slow down and enjoy parenting is by staying present. When running a household, it is all too easy to get sucked up in planning for next week, problem-solving, or reflecting on how to be a better parent. But that leaves you completely missing the point. The best thing you can do for your children is to be actively engaged. If you think that time is speeding up, that is because it is. By practicing mindfulness, you can unplug from your worries and freely interact with your little ones. You can’t stop them from growing up but you can be sure not to miss your time with them. Click here for a list of tips and activities to be a more playful and engaged parent.
Final Thoughts: Taking It Slowly
Though it can be a tall order to get everything done and, on top of that, enjoy your time parenting, we all know there is nothing more gratifying than spending time with your children. If life has you chasing after some point in the future, remember that all life ever is, is this moment now. Be present with them outside, while doing chores, or other activities to give them memorable childhoods. At the end of the day, you’ve done your best and you mean the world to your children.
