The bliss and carefree-ness of summer holidays is over, and
once again school returns, along with the hectic lifestyle it often brings. Oh,
how sad to see those long days of togetherness start to disappear.
Parents know all too well how little time we have with our
children, to build the bonds of strong relationships with them and to cherish
those special moments. And, don’t you just feel that at times, school gets in
the way of that? Back to homework in the afternoons, music practice and
lessons, you might squeeze in dance lessons or sporting activities, and then
there can also be church clubs and activities that will once again start up for
the year.
Here are some simple, fuss-free, small-time things you can
do with your daughter, to spend quality time together, even when things seem
too hectic!
1 Paint each other’s
nails
You could do this while cooking dinner together, or watching TV
with the family. If your school has a no nail polish rule, just do toenails –
and seeing as they’ll only be out and about at home, try different colours on
different nails!
2 Stop off at a park
or lakeside on the way home from school
It doesn’t need to be a long stop
– maybe even just time for a push on the swing, or a quick toe-dip in the water
at the lake. We’re trying to get into the habit of keeping a couple of towels
in the car boot just in case we’re inspired to do such a thing in the spur of
the moment!
3 Have an afternoon
tea snack together
If you’re home before your children arrive, it’s
lovely to have it ready on the table for them when they walk in the door.
Something simple like a smoothie, milo, crackers, carrot sticks and dip, or a
cookie is just as nice as a treat that is more special. Do your arrival
routines first (school bags in rooms, lunch bags emptied etc) and share the day
with each other before heading into homework and practices. If you can catch
your children when they first come home, they are more likely to share more of
their day with you.
4 Do homework as a
family at the kitchen table
I did this growing up, and did it with my
children, too. It allows you to keep an eye on the work they are doing, and to
be readily available when they need help. Actually sitting at the table with
your children lets them know you are right there when they need you.
5 ‘Just because’
gifts
I read this somewhere on the internet and loved the idea! It can be
a great way to pick up spirits if someone is having a bad day, or for those children
whose love language is receiving gifts, it is an inexpensive way for them to
feel loved. A ‘just because’ gift is a little gift given ‘just because’ you
love them. I don’t do this all the time, but every now and then will buy a
multi-pack of small chocolate bars and hand them out over a couple of weeks as
my ‘just because’ gifts.
6 Do a simple craft
together
A simple craft, that can be kept with all that is needed for it
and pulled out to spend even 5 or 10 minutes at a time can be fun to do
together. Ideas could be making a felt pin cushion, beading a necklace or
making loom bands. Keep everything in a snap lock bag or sewing basket – pins,
needles, threads, stuffing, fabric, buttons etc, can all be collected at the
start of the project and put together so you don’t need to hunt them down
everytime you want to work on it!
7 Colour in together
Great for a rainy day and something that a busy mum can put down at any moment
if something needs to be done for dinner, or another child helped. There are
some great, rather detailed colouring in pages you can download from the
internet, or you might come across a detailed book in a cheap shop or craft
store.
8 Cook tea together
Great for learning new skills, talking quietly together and it’s a task you
need to do anyway!
And when you are too tired or stressed to think creatively,
if you have made one of our bucket lists, you can always refer to that! Craft
kits for this are available at $18 each + p&h. Simply contact us at ameliaforgirls@gmail.com or pm on
facebook Amelia Magazine.
What’s your favourite
quality-time snippet your family enjoys? We’ve done afternoon tea for the
last 10 years and I just love it! When all my kids were little and I wasn’t
working much, I would have something home-baked every day (oh, how did I do
that!), but now that I have two teenagers, they are usually more difficult to keep
at the table – it’s usually a quick conversation and a snatch of afternoon tea,
then they are keen to get to their quiet space in their room and do homework in
peace! Mind you, those old habits are hard to get away from and there will be
days that we have a lovely time around the table together!
