Bliss-Girls

Life has become very hectic for most adults in the last few decades. The Internet has opened the world in so many ways and this has resulted in adults spending more time in the digital world than in the real world. The price is however being paid by young kids, unknowingly.

Most of us surely would have felt guilty at some point or other about spending too much time scrolling on our phones. This post is not to talk about locking away your phone or any such nonsense. We know we need it. We need it for our work and mental health. In this post I wish to share my experiences about how I manage to spend quality time with my kids.

The key here is to not see kids as responsibilities but more as little curious humans whose company can relax and rejuvenate you. Remember those early days of your child, when you came back after a tiring day and looked at their beautiful tiny faces and forgot all the stress? That exact feeling is what we need to rekindle which somewhere might have got lost as the kids are growing up. I hope some of these ideas might help someone. 

Reading with kids before bed

A simple habit of reading a kids fictional novel at bedtime for just about 20 minutes helps not only the kids but also the parent. It fuels imagination in kids and triggers good sleep in adults. 

Involving Kids with House Chores

Call your kid into the kitchen and assign them a task to make a simple salad or sandwich. Offer them help. Enjoy co-cooking. Be lavish in showering compliments.

You could also ask them for help to keep the house clean or to do the laundry. Sure they might throw tantrums, they might hate doing it repeatedly but DO NOT give up. They will realise the value at some point, afterall few essential skills won’t hurt.

Teasing with Love and Laughter 

A little bit of bantering with your kids is healthy. Now I am not a certified clinical expert on childcare, but I am a mother to 2 kids with whom I share a great bond. I have always found gentle bantering lightens up my mood and theirs too.

Movie Nights

This is the most loved activity in my Family. My kids have this request every weekend. Disney+ has loads of movies for the entire family. Popcorns, light snacks, a big TV screen and lights-off is all required for an amazing family movie night.

Helping with Studies

Oh blimey, I hated homework as a kid too. But ever since my son started school, I’ve enjoyed doing homework with him. Sure, he complains, but we’ve figured out how to make it fun. Homework time has also become a time for light and healthy banter.

Co-Sleeping 

If you are not a fan of co-sleeping, try to do it atleast over weekends. I have found that it gives my kids a sense of security and also increases their confidence levels. It’s a positive emotional experience for the kids.

Weekend Outings 

Weekend swimming, playtime in the park, or a stroll in the mall for a couple of hours are excellent therapies for stressed minds. Kids experience mental stress too, but it’s quite different from the stress adults face. Children may not verbalize their stress, but they surely express it through their behavior. If you observe closely, you’ll notice these patterns too.

TED Talks on the breakfast table

Once in a while, I like to start an interesting conversation with my son. I know a dozen topics he’s interested in, so I begin by giving my own version of a TED Talk on his favourite subject, one level above his current knowledge. This encourages him to think more and ask more questions. 

Life is short, so spend as much time as possible on what matters most. The bond between a parent and child is one of the most beautiful experiences—nurture it and cherish it deeply.