As homeschooling parents, time may be our most precious commodity. Spending time with our kids should be a top priority, but I’m not talking about time for lessons, chores, or errands, which are still important. However, I’m talking mostly about quality time — time for us and our kids to laugh, pray, play, or just be together.
Wondering where you can find the time to spend with your kids? Here are some creative ways to add quality time to your daily schedule.
Break time
Can’t seem to find time to just be together? Schedule it in! Even just 15 minutes in the middle of the day can make a big difference. We can set the alarm on our phones for mid-morning or mid-afternoon, and when the timer goes off, stop what we’re doing, pour everyone a cup of their favorite drink and do something together. We can take a walk around the block, read our favorite Bible chapter or short story, play a silly game — whatever we love to do with our kids. I guarantee they’ll be all smiles when they hit the books again, and so will we!
Bedtime
Right before bed is a great time to be with our kids, no matter how old they are. Little kids will appreciate a story and snuggles, but even big kids will enjoy a chat before going to sleep. It’s a great time to catch up on the day’s activities and let our kids know how much we love them. Even when we’re really busy before bed, taking the time to visit with each of our kids is something they’ll never forget.
Exercise together
It’s no secret that we all need to exercise to stay healthy, so why not make it a family affair? Go for a bike ride, a hike, or play a game of Frisbee, just make sure you do it together.
Unplugged Sunday (or any day)
Is technology and screen time taking up more time than we’d like? We could try dedicating a whole day to unplugging and being together. If this seems impossible to do, start by getting out of the house. Spend the day on a road trip, at a museum, or in the woods – wherever you won’t be tempted to get online. You may miss it at first, but after a few weeks, you just might look forward to unplugging.
These are just a few ideas for spending quality time with our kids. These days and moments with our children are fleeting, and while it may not seem like there are enough hours in the day, the hours we spend with our kids now will be something all of us will remember forever.
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