If you're part of the working world and also have children, there's a good chance you aren't satisfied with the time that you get to spend with them. Your heart may be in the right place, but hectic schedules can leave little time to stop what you're doing in order to talk to your kids and truly connect with them.
According to a recent survey, nearly one in four working dads feels that work is negatively impacting their relationship with their children. If you would like to get more in touch with your own son or daughter, there are easy ways to free up some parent-child bonding time. The following ideas should help ensure that the communication lines between parent and child stay open as often as possible.
* Share a hobby. From a good game of tennis to taking guitar lessons, sharing a hobby with your child will give you both a chance to do something you enjoy or learn something new, while catching up on one another's lives.
* Get involved in school. Make a point to join the parents' group at school and to meet all of your child's teachers and develop one-on-one relationships with them. Give your child an added pick-me-up at lunchtime with Lunch Mail, a miniature pop-open card that tucks into your child's lunch and contains heartfelt, inspirational or humorous messages inside. The entire line of Lunch Mail products may be purchased at www.live-inspired.com.
* Ask their opinion. With so much emphasis being placed on children respecting their elders' opinions, it will greatly please and flatter your child if you genuinely ask for their input on an issue.
* Schedule a family night. Take one night a week to spend time as a family. Nix the phone and TV and use this special night to connect with each other. Rotate which child chooses the activity and plans the meal for the evening. And whether you build a fort or play a board game, this is an inexpensive way to enjoy each other's company.
* Use the dinner hour wisely. More and more families are spending dinnertime doing their own thing, rather than talking to one another about the highs and lows of their day. Spend the majority of a full hour enjoying your child's company while eating a delicious meal.
(NewsUSA)
