I took a 'Mommy and Me' Parenting Two at a Time class and was so impressed by the idea of individual 'quality' time for my son and daughter, I immediately started planning a few minutes a day with each of them.
I'd put my son in his crib with a toy, and read a book to my daughter, or set up my daughter with a book and play with her little brother.
Within a couple of weeks, my daughter started bringing me a magazine or book when I was sitting on the couch folding laundry, then go in to play with her brother. I guess they figured they deserved 'quality time' together without me!
I found that playing card games or board games with them, making sandwiches or baking, taking short walks or spending time in the yard gardening, were all more interesting to my children than watching videos together.
Of course, my good friend from the Mommy and Me class had decided we would limit our children's time in front of the tv ~ and I still remember sitting with her after dinner talking about how much we appreciated our local PBS station for scheduling Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Sesame Street right before dinner time.
Whew!
Pam W
SE of Seattle
Teaching Your Child to Plan Meals and Cook
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