How To Connect With Your Kids After School
Keeping up with your kids during the school year can feel impossible. Find out how to connect with your kids after school with these fun ideas!Wake up, make breakfast, scramble to get kids ready, drop them off at school, fill your day with countless tasks, pick up the kids from school, make dinner, get the kids ready for bed, breathe, and repeat.I don't know about you, but I'm still trying to make sure the kids get clean clothes and breakfast every day. I feel like I'm on autopilot most of the time during the week. That doesn't always lead to a happy momma and it's not fair to my kids. I end up whipping them through their afterschool routine as quickly as I can so I can get everything done.By the time I lay down for bed, I regret not spending more time with them. I don't want my boys to think I don't make time for them. I also want to make sure I build strong relationships with my boys. I want to be the one they come to when they're going through something tough or when they had the best day and can't wait to share.Those relationships are built by the little moments that happen every day. It's the moment they see you put them first. The moment they spend doing something silly with you. It's all of it.Don't let the little moments pass you by.
Turn everything off.
You may be an amazing multitasker, but your kids need to see that you care. They want quality time with you. Take time every day to turn it all off and put all of your attention on them.
Actually, LISTEN when they talk about their day.
We all ask how our kids days are, but how much do we actually listen when they tell us? It may mean thirty minutes of listening to them go on and on about lunchtime drama. The truth is we start to tune them out... I said it! I know I'm not alone. Use all the willpower you have in you to actually LISTEN! Then you can actually talk back. It matters to them.
Do something together.
Find something fun to do together. You can do something simple like let them help you make dinner or go on a fun after dinner walk. It doesn't have to take an hour. It can be 20 minutes, but make it count.
Sit at the table for family dinner.
Dinner time usually means the kids get dinner while I clean up. However, this year we're intentionally making everyone sit at the table for family dinner. Get this... AT THE SAME TIME. It's crazy.
Start a bedtime routine that matters.
What does bedtime look like in your home? Does it mean chasing kids down to get them in bed so you can finally have a minute to yourself? Start slow and create a new bedtime routine. Add in a little story or maybe a little dance off!How do you reconnect with your kids after they get home from school?