Part II of two parts
I talked about the importance of spending time with the kids to solidify our relationship with them. What kinds of activities should we do with them? I would say anything that is wholesome, healthy and fun!
An activity that we do with the kids provides structure to the bonding time. It enhances the value of those moments, because the fun that the kids derive from it becomes a memory peg for them – so that they will not forget how special those moments were.
So, we should select our bonding activities with care. I suggest that you do not go for run-of-the-mill activities that cost too much but do not give much in terms of value to your relationship. For example, shopping may be a fun activity for most of us, but for kids, I do not think of it as something great to do. We might just be raising potential shopaholics! Of course, we can go out and buy some stuff for them and with them, but it should not be counted as a bonding time.
If you have kids belonging to different age brackets (like me, I have a 12-year old and a 7-year old), come up with activities that they will all enjoy. Aside from the age, consider their interests and personalities. If you cannot think of anything that is mutually appreciated, try spending moments with each of them occasionally.
I remember our pastor who has a scheme to focus on each child. He goes out with each of his four kids for dinner once a month. His kids get to choose the eating place but it should start with the same letter as their names. Over dinner, he talks to each of them, ask them how they are and discuss things that concern them the most. Nice idea, right?
Anyway, going back to activities, I have here a very short list (compared to what activities are available out there), just to get your mind working. I put so much value on the benefits kids will get out of them and their value in terms of developing them mentally, socially or emotionally. Of course, one major consideration is for all of you to get to know one another a lot better. These are not like profound ideas – just things with same old “common sense” wise mothers should normally have.
Attending classes together. My older son has a knack for languages. His learning style is that he grasps concepts easily. He easily learns a language based on the conversations he hears – the tone of the voice, the context of the conversation, etc. So, I have this as one of our future activities, since I want to learn French and he likes it too in school. Learning the same language together gives us each other to practice with and the fun of being at the same level as him on a certain subject matter is an added bonus. Can’t wait to enroll, really.
Sports. If you are the outdoor type of person (which I am not), it is nice to join your kids in the sports that they like. You may not necessarily have to play, but just be there to cheer them as they sweat it out. You can point out ways to improve their game as well, in a non-intrusive manner, of course because chances are, they listen to their coach only. But if they can see that you genuinely like them to excel, they will be more open to suggestions.
Scrapbooking. This is just an example. You can take on any hobby you like that the kids will equally enjoy. Having a scrapbook as a memento of their childhood would just be awesome! At the moment, we gasp and rant whenever we see handprints or doodles on the wall. Why not have them “dirty” the pages of your scrapbook, instead?
Visit museums or equally-educational places. Instead of spending money on a movie in the movie house, why not open their eyes to the wonderful world of culture, art, history and the humanities? Make these visits interesting by researching about the place you are going ahead of the visit. Point out to them something interesting you learned about the place even before you arrive there, just to make them curious. At first, the idea is not exciting enough for little children. But if they grow up seeing these things, it will grow on them. Then, make the trip more exciting by dropping by a favorite place to eat.
Of course, you all can add a lot more to these activities. I just posted them here to give you an idea of what I mean by fun, wholesome and healthy activities.
I talked about the importance of spending time with the kids to solidify our relationship with them. What kinds of activities should we do with them? I would say anything that is wholesome, healthy and fun!
An activity that we do with the kids provides structure to the bonding time. It enhances the value of those moments, because the fun that the kids derive from it becomes a memory peg for them – so that they will not forget how special those moments were.
So, we should select our bonding activities with care. I suggest that you do not go for run-of-the-mill activities that cost too much but do not give much in terms of value to your relationship. For example, shopping may be a fun activity for most of us, but for kids, I do not think of it as something great to do. We might just be raising potential shopaholics! Of course, we can go out and buy some stuff for them and with them, but it should not be counted as a bonding time.
If you have kids belonging to different age brackets (like me, I have a 12-year old and a 7-year old), come up with activities that they will all enjoy. Aside from the age, consider their interests and personalities. If you cannot think of anything that is mutually appreciated, try spending moments with each of them occasionally.
I remember our pastor who has a scheme to focus on each child. He goes out with each of his four kids for dinner once a month. His kids get to choose the eating place but it should start with the same letter as their names. Over dinner, he talks to each of them, ask them how they are and discuss things that concern them the most. Nice idea, right?
Anyway, going back to activities, I have here a very short list (compared to what activities are available out there), just to get your mind working. I put so much value on the benefits kids will get out of them and their value in terms of developing them mentally, socially or emotionally. Of course, one major consideration is for all of you to get to know one another a lot better. These are not like profound ideas – just things with same old “common sense” wise mothers should normally have.
Attending classes together. My older son has a knack for languages. His learning style is that he grasps concepts easily. He easily learns a language based on the conversations he hears – the tone of the voice, the context of the conversation, etc. So, I have this as one of our future activities, since I want to learn French and he likes it too in school. Learning the same language together gives us each other to practice with and the fun of being at the same level as him on a certain subject matter is an added bonus. Can’t wait to enroll, really.
Sports. If you are the outdoor type of person (which I am not), it is nice to join your kids in the sports that they like. You may not necessarily have to play, but just be there to cheer them as they sweat it out. You can point out ways to improve their game as well, in a non-intrusive manner, of course because chances are, they listen to their coach only. But if they can see that you genuinely like them to excel, they will be more open to suggestions.
Scrapbooking. This is just an example. You can take on any hobby you like that the kids will equally enjoy. Having a scrapbook as a memento of their childhood would just be awesome! At the moment, we gasp and rant whenever we see handprints or doodles on the wall. Why not have them “dirty” the pages of your scrapbook, instead?
Visit museums or equally-educational places. Instead of spending money on a movie in the movie house, why not open their eyes to the wonderful world of culture, art, history and the humanities? Make these visits interesting by researching about the place you are going ahead of the visit. Point out to them something interesting you learned about the place even before you arrive there, just to make them curious. At first, the idea is not exciting enough for little children. But if they grow up seeing these things, it will grow on them. Then, make the trip more exciting by dropping by a favorite place to eat.
Of course, you all can add a lot more to these activities. I just posted them here to give you an idea of what I mean by fun, wholesome and healthy activities.
