Not Just for the Holidays – Regularly Create Time to Enjoy Being a Family
Posted on December 28, 2010 by admin
Having regular meals together and relaxing as a family (unplugged from technology if you can!), is a gift with long-lasting benefits, for our kids AND ourselves.
I know this one is a hard one to swallow but 15 minutes of quality time focused completely on your girl goes a lot further than 1 hour of making dinner, washing the dishes, talking on the phone, checking your email and talking to your girl.
Carve out that space, even if it is for a short while, where she has a place (if she wants to use it) to be heard, understood and validated. And don’t forget that you can use humor too! Humor is a great de-stressor.
Remember, no one stays a pre-teen or teen (or the parent of a pre-teen or teen) forever! Laugh with her and while you’re at it you might as well laugh at yourself too! Nothing gets rid of stress better than a big ‘ol belly laugh.
The shifts and changes that you make now will greatly impact the strength of your relationship with your girl now and into the future. You will not only be affecting your relationship with her but you will be affecting the relationships she has with others too!
Discussion: 5 Comments
5 Responses to “Not Just for the Holidays – Regularly Create Time to Enjoy Being a Family”
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Cynthia
- 28th Dec, 10 03:12pm
Hi,
I completely agree. I have always been an on the go type of person and felt like I was depriving myself and my daughter of quality time. I made a solid effort the other day to spend the morning with her, with no interruptions and we had the best time. My mom even joined in so it was three generations of quality time. It is priceless and am going to make that a priority on a regular basis.
Dawn
- 29th Dec, 10 02:12pm
This is a great idea. My daughter who is going on 17 needs me more emotionally now than she did as a younger child. I have noticed her asking for more quiet time together with me more than usual. LIfe has been very overwhelming and stressful and her sleep pattern is off more due to her being off of school. She just seems at a loss with herself. I do give her time with me but I am sure it is not enough so this idea I think will work best for both me and my daughter. Thank you for this insight for our daughters.
Dawn
admin (author comment)
- 12th Jan, 11 03:01pm
Dawn, thank you for sharing this I’m sure it will help others who are feeling the same way!
admin (author comment)
- 12th Jan, 11 03:01pm
Cynthia what a wonderful new discovery for yourself and of course your daughter and your own mother. You are right on…that time is truly priceless! Thank you for your insight!
COLLIN
- 14th Mar, 11 10:03am
Having regular meals together and relaxing as a family is so IMPORTANT.
Denver Therapist