I have two kids 3 and 7. After I pick them up from school I am trying to cook, clean and spend time with them. Any tricks on how to spend more quality time with the kids so they don't feel neglected?
2006-10-04 14:25:26 · 8 answers · asked by mtkarens@sbcglobal.net 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
i do not know what your work schedule is like but this is what i do.
have supper ready when they get home
clean before you go to bed or before they get home
that way you free up your time to walk with them to the park or a basketball court etc....
If you can't have them "help" cook give them two choices and say who has what turn to pick the food item and who can pick the drink choice.
but most important when you find a scheduled time that works be consistent that way they know this is the time i have with mom. good luck.
2006-10-04 14:39:03 · answer #1 · answered by vkewl182 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clean only as much as you need to do so the house looks okay. In other words, surface clean. Pick a weekend or some other time to really get into the cleaning. Usually, with good organization and a routine it is possible to keep a house mostly clean without having to roll up your sleeves and really clean too often. I'm a surface cleaner and get down and dirty with the cleaning about once a month.
When cooking, employ the kids. My kids are 3 & 6. They cook with me. In fact, they each have a night of the week that they cook. Either myself or my husband is in the kitchen with them. Just last night my 3 yr.old make mac n cheese, potato wedges and sliced apples for dinner. We started this for many reasons. We home school and cooking is part of their lessons. I got tired of them coming to the table and saying "ugh, I don't want that" or "I'm not in the mood for that". So, they each get to plan a weekly meal. Also, it gives them confidence and it gives us a chance to spend time together.
Read to the kids before bed. Do they have a bedtime routine? How much time do you have between dinner and bedtime? Maybe on a few nights you have a really easy dinner that you can eat in the living room and let the kids pick a movie that you watch with them. Take the time to read to them before they go to sleep. Or if there is time sit down and color or do a simple, not to messy, craft.
You could also have them pick one night a week that they plan the evening. Ask them what they want to do. Keep it a standing date. So, every Thursday, for example, they know it is their night. The activity or dinner or whatever should be planned in advance.
I could offer you further help if I knew what kind of time you had after work and school. I work as a consultant for busy moms so I do this for a living.
Also, don't be too hard on yourself. I seriously doubt your children are feeling neglected. You're doing the best you can. As parents we often hold ourselves up to a higher standard and we end up stressing over things that we really don't need to. Your kids know they are loved and they are taken care of. The fact that you're even asking this questions shows that you're a good parent.
Just pencil in a bit more time where you can. You'd be surprised what just a few mintues can mean to a kid. Really. Just reading to them before bed will make a difference so don't feel like you have to do it all.
Good luck!
2006-10-04 14:41:28 · answer #2 · answered by Amelia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have them help you. Even the 3 year old can sit on the counter while you are in the kitchen and you can have him/her do something. At least you can visit or sing songs or say nursery rhymes together. The 7 year old can be very useful--unloading the dishwasher, setting the table, hanging in the kitchen with you, too, to see where he/she fits in with the tasks. My 4 almost 5 year old can pretty much make meat balls by himself if I chop the onions. He's not allowed to use the stove, but he can mix them up and form the balls. It's very good for their self-esteem. It may take longer and not be quite as how you like it, but you can have some fun times together. You can work on math, counting, reading directions. The kids can help with the laundry by folding clothes and putting their own stuff away. Get them their own baskets. I guess because I'm a Grandma now I have more patience. They certainly could help with putting the groceries away and emptying the waste baskets on trash days or gathering and sorting the papers and magazines to straighten the place up a little. They can gather up the dirty towels and take them to the washer and sort the laundry once you show them how.
2006-10-04 14:43:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-18 12:29:33 · answer #4 · answered by mcsweeney 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your kids help you. It can be a lot of fun, and gives them the opprotunity to learn some responsibilities. Plus, they get to spend time with you. You could also have the kids help set the table, or make placemats for the table while you are making supper.
2006-10-04 14:34:22 · answer #5 · answered by heskett6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well...maybe cleaning and cooking can become an activity that you and your kids can help you with....make fun dinners 2gether and make a fun game out of cleaning the house...i hope this helps
2006-10-07 20:07:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take to the park , zoo,take them for a walk, play with their toys with them. let the 7 yr old help you with housework
2006-10-04 15:57:26 · answer #7 · answered by mama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
without killing them or at least wanting to ?...............
nope cant think of any thing
2006-10-04 14:33:17 · answer #8 · answered by ptmamas 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋