We get it. You’re working a full-time job while coordinating school pickup and drop-off with only mere moments to hug your child goodbye before speeding away to the office. Breakfast was a blur. It took you an extra 10 minutes to find your car keys on the way out the door, and you’re already flustered about that big morning meeting.
You’ve got homework to check, lunches to make, meals to prep, bills to pay. Laundry is piling up, you’re accumulating overtime at work, and late nights after the kids are all tucked into bed is when you catch up on chores or eat a quick snack and catch your breath.
Maybe you’re trying to homeschool your children while not losing your patience and feel like you can’t enjoy your time with them no matter what you try. Maybe you’re navigating the world of virtual learning on top of your part-time job.
Whatever your “busy” looks like these days, those perfect bonding moments with the kids may be few and far between. You may often find yourself thinking, “Man, I just need a break. I don’t feel like I’m nailing parenting right now.”
In the midst of your crazy lifestyle, try not to let those moments slip away. You’d be surprised how many minutes in a day you can actually bond with your kiddos without even overexerting yourself. We’ve prepared a short guide to get you started. You may even think of several other opportunities in addition to these everyday moments.
Read together (even just bedtime stories)
Is bedtime the only part of the day this week you can truly settle down with your child and be present? That’s okay! Soak up every single one of those few minutes. Read one or two of her favorite books. Use silly voices. Be animated. Give her an extra hug and say you love getting to read with her. Tell her, “Same time, same place?” for tomorrow.
Do arts and crafts
Fancy setups aren’t required to simply color a picture, draw with markers or paint with your kiddo for a while. Muster up a few free minutes after dinner. Skip bath time just to dig up his favorite coloring books. You don’t have to commit to hours of organized crafting—just replace one of your routine nighttime activities for this fun one instead.
Enjoy music
Sing along with the radio together in the car. Have Amazon Alexa play a few Disney tunes at bedtime as you’re tucking them in. I promise they’ll soak up and appreciate these positive, mindful moments as much as—if not more than—a well-planned vacation or expensive new toy.
Take a walk or head to the backyard
Instead of jumping right into homework after school, take the kids outside and join them in a game of catch or hide-and-seek. Walk around the block once. Take a few minutes to breathe in the fresh air while asking them about their day.
Cook together
If you’ve been working all day, just picked your kids up from school or daycare and don’t necessarily have energy to take them to the park or plan a special activity together, don’t worry. Why not include them in cooking dinner? It doesn’t have to be a complicated, home-cooked meal. Even if you stir up a box of pancake mix or heat up some chicken nuggets, include your children in the process.
Utilize homework time
Even though homework time can be the most stressful hour (or three) of the day for you and your kids, it doesn’t have to be. Try to make it fun one night. Pop some popcorn and read through your son’s social studies textbook with him. Help your daughter practice spelling words and give her gummy bears for each word she spells correctly. Laugh and tell jokes in between tough math equations.
Watch a movie
Change up story time and instead watch a quick episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood or a Disney short on the iPad before bed. Even if the two of you don’t chat and just snuggle up with a blanket, you’re still bonding, and your presence makes your child feel safe and secure.
Just listen
My 5-year-old sure knows when I’m not giving him my absolute, undivided attention. He tells me, “Wisten, wisten (listen)!” until I make eye contact and notice what he is trying to show me on his iPad or a toy he brought me. This may happen while we’re playing with Play-Doh, coloring or building with Legos. Sometimes, the simplest and best way to snatch those bonding moments is to be fully present and engaged in simple activities together.
Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence wither husband, 5-year old son and dog.