I try to find balance when it comes to raising my kids. I know they each need individual attention. So I was glad when my son was invited to a swimming party with no siblings allowed. We had a great time playing in the water together and trying out the underwater camera I was given for Christmas. This particular son – individual time is one of the things he values most. Even if he stays up to help me clean while his brothers are in bed, he enjoys that time with me. He will even offer to clean so he can stay up.
When I give each of my kids special time, I learn new things about them and I get to hear more about what’s on their minds. So right now we’re doing a rotation schedule. Each of our kids gets to stay up with us on Friday nights just to chat and do something fun like watch a movie or play a game. We had started doing this right after Family Home Evening (Monday nights), but we were having so much difficulty getting our other kids to bed on time, it just got too late on a school night. Saturday night is for me and my husband. Ideally, we would actually go on a date on those nights, but typically we put the kids to bed and just spend time together at home. When our oldest is old enough to babysit, then we should be able to go out more. We just can’t afford babysitters.
When my husband was growing up, his family had a Family Home Evening chart showing each person’s responsibility – to say the prayer, prepare the treat, give the lesson, etc., but they also had “Talk time with Dad” and “Talk time with Mom”. Those were the most coveted positions. I loved that idea.
Next year will get a little more tricky. My youngest son will be in school full-time. Right now we get time together while his sister is napping after he gets home from Kindergarten. I hope I will manage to make him feel special. I have fond memories of my mom making her regular trips to the Commissary on base (a grocery store for the military). It was a rather long drive and she would alternate bringing me or my sister with her, first stopping by our local doughnut shop. Then we would get to pick a special treat to bring home. The best part was just talking to my mom about whatever I wanted to.
What are your thoughts on bonding with your children? I would love to hear them.
2 Responses
In 2008, with three of my sons, I went on a Utah Temples Trip. We went to all the Utah temples that were open and did a session. It took four days. We also visited the two under construction at the time. After we arrived home we talked about maybe doing a California Temples Trip.
This year I asked one of my sons what he wanted to do for spring break. He said, “A California Temples Trip!”
So we went. 2,000 miles in five days visiting seven California temples and picking up the two Nevada temples on the way.
Each time we took photos and blogged about each temple. We had a grand experience and enjoyed our time together.
Next up? A Oregon-Washington-Idaho Temples Trip.
Posted on June 5th, 2010 at 7:16 am
That sounds like a wonderful experience, Rick. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to when I can attend the temple with my children, although I’m not in a hurry for them to grow up.
Posted on June 5th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
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