10 Ways to Enjoy Your Child Today

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It’s messy.

It’s chaotic.

It’s exhausting.

It’s tears mixed with laughing while negotiating about why shoes need to match.

It’s beds with too many tenants that leave pee stains on sheets and give kicks to the face.

It’s requests to watch Elmo and Frozen everyday. All day. Over and over again. Then again.

It’s spilled milk and crunched cheerios. All over your van. And couch. And crevices of your purse?!

It’s everything you love. Mixed with every kind of stress. All day then all night. No breaks in sight.

It consumes your mind. It fills your heart. It exhausts your body. It grows you like you never imagined.

It’s parenthood.

The one time in our lives where we have kids in the home. Littles (and not so littles) that need us. That love us. That we LOVE from head to toe while simultaneously draining us from head to toe.

The older generation tells us with love:

“Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.

It passes before you know it.

Savor it now. It’s your one chance.”

And we politely while somewhat annoyed respond:

“Yes, I know. I know. I hear that a lot.

And I want to. I really do. That’s why I had kids. To enjoy them.

But the days, they just fly by. And before I know it, they are another day older. Meanwhile I still haven’t brushed my teeth. Or hair.

So savoring them. Well, it’s harder than you know.”

Ike

Can you relate? If so, here’s 10 easy ways you can blink today and feel like you didn’t miss out on your child today.

  1. Draw an outline of your hand. Then lay their hand inside the outline of your hand and trace their hand. Have them look at the differences in the sizes of your hands and remind them that their hand will one day grow as large as yours. But for now it’s small. And that means they’re still growing and you like that. Then ask them to go on a walk with you. And hold their hand. And don’t let go until they do.
  2. Have a staring contest with them. Tell them you have to keep a straight face with absolutely no laughing. Then flare your nostrils at them. Cross your eyes. Make your craziest face until they can’t contain themselves anymore. Then take them in the bathroom and have them practice making silly faces with you.
  3. Turn on some music and ask them to teach you some dance moves. Act as if they are the expert then no matter what they do, mimic them. Tell them you like their moves. Then when they are tired. Turn on some crazy annoying song. And teach them to do it. Dare I say, Macerena??
  4. Interview them. And get your camera rolling. Sit them down in a chair. And ask them about the world. Ask them what a president does. Ask them how people float in outer space. If they’re older. Ask them what sounds like the most fun place to take a trip. The worst? Ask them as many questions as you can think of about THEM.
  5. Have them pick out your outfit. The entire thing. Then let them pick out their outfit. A costume. Mismatched shoes. Anything. Then take them out on a date. At a restaurant. When people ask you about your outfit say, “My daughter dressed me today. I’m thinking she’s the next Vera Wang?!” Make them feel proud.
  6. Tell each other I love you in animal language. Ask them how a cow would say I love you. Then a pig. Then a goat. Then a snake. Pull them close. And do the same back to them. “Hey, I’m going to say I love you in dog right now. Are you ready?” Woof, Woof Woooooooooofffffff!!”
  7. Say yes to something you always say no to. They always want to fly a kite but you don’t want to. They always want to go to Chuck E. Cheese but the germs gross you out. They always want to..what?! Just for today. Say yes.
  8. Sit them down and tell them everything you love about them. Affirm them. Then do it some more. Anything they are good at. Bring it up. Make them blush. Make their heart feel good. They won’t always care about your opinions. But they do NOW.
  9. Do something old school with them. And teach them about something that has changed. Pull up a picture of VCR or a cassette tape. Teach them how things “used” to be in the “olden” days. While they’re getting a little history lesson, you’re also getting a reminder into how short they’ve been on this earth. And how crazy it that they only know what a cell phone is.
  10. For one whole day, hide your phone. You don’t have to do anything special other than respond when they ask for you without a distraction. Just for one day. Make that day a day that they see that they come first. That you get it. That they’re WITH you. But they won’t always be. And that why they still are…you’re WITH them. Then hug them before you respond to their request.

    ….

    Remember, sharing is caring. :) If you think someone else could benefit from reading this, please hit share
    …

    boy momThe author of this article is a wife, mother, blogger and licensed marriage and family therapist. 99% of her time is spent keeping her 3 boys alive and the other 1% is spent writing about their crazy times in her blog Sanctification and Spitup, which is also found on Facebook.

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Quinn is a wife, blogger and boymom with a degree in marriage and family therapy. 99% of her time is spent keeping her four boys alive and the other 1% is spent writing about their crazy times in her blog called Sanctification and Spitup also found on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. If you want to instantly feel better about the hecticness of your life, give her a follow to see it could be much worse. (She only wishes she was kidding.)

114 thoughts on “10 Ways to Enjoy Your Child Today”

  1. I love this, Quin! My little guy is 5.5 mo old & I try to soak in every minute of every day with him – sometimes it still feels like it’s not enough! I look forward to holding his hand on walks, dancing, etc. as he gets older – thank you for this post!

    Reply

  2. I always look for ways to better interact with my son. He is about to be four and I’m trying to just be “all up in his grill’ as much as possible before Pre-K. Thanks for all of the great ideas!! Being a mom…and especially a boy mom rocks!!!

    Reply

  3. My Son and Daughter are all grown up (29 and 26). I am so proud that they are grown up and many times miss when they were little. It really does pass quickly and I cherish the many times they say, “Mom, Remember when….” To all Moms, New and Old, ENJOY. Thanks for the reminders.

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  5. Thank you, really struggling with my little 8 year old little girl and really needed to read this. God bless you and your little boys.

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  6. I was really struggling with my demanding little two year old and I really needed to read this………it brought tears to my eyes !!! Most of the time,we r so busy with our lives and getting everything done on time that we forget to stop and pause and enjoy it ! Thank you so much for the beautiful article

    Reply

  8. Hi there, this is fabulous. I’d really like your permission to republish it in a parenting column I’m writing for my company’s website, which is due to launch soon. How would you like to be credited?
    Thank you!

    Reply

  9. On reading this, I picked up my daughter from school and took her to a mummy and daughter picnic in the garden inviting all her teddies. Phone was inside. We played the making faces and staring competition game which she howled with laughter and then the I love you in animal voices. Her pig voice was hilarious. An excellent hour had by both. Thank you, it took me away from normal ‘afternoon’ chaos and routine for proper time together.

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  11. I think that is one of the loveliest things I’ve ever read. Thank you for writing this for all us fellow mummies that need a little reminder to put down our phones for 5 minutes and just sit and listen to the littlies. I will be doing some of these tomorrow morning before I send my little M’s off to school. Just lush! Xxxx

    Reply

  12. Such a sweet post! I love the practical tips and I am saving them to my favourites. This afternoon after taking my 14 months old swimming and feeling exhausted I was wishing for the evening to come so I could go to bed and then I thought ‘no! it’s sunday and it is the day to enjoy his company!’ so it’s very lovely that I came across your post today. Thank you! x

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  13. Thanks for the inspiring ideas! As a mom to an almost 8mo old, I really want to make sure my husband and I take the time to enjoy our daughter, not just take care of her daily needs. Can’t wait to try the animal voices with her!!

    Reply
  14. Pingback: 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Child Today | BirgitMedele's Blog

  16. I dont know if this post was meant to make me cry, but I get so emotional when it comes to my kids! Mostly becos I feel like I am a terrible mother and I cant hold it together. I am a fulltime mom of 3 kids, 2 boys and 1 girl and ure so right, its messy, its chaotic, exhausting and i wish i cud handle it better. But I really want everything that is best in the world for my kids, and I want them to so be happy. Thanks for this post, and I need to remind myself over and over again to just chill.. they are after all, just kids.

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  17. I really needed it today as I yelled on my Lil one…who is just 1.5 yr old… :-(
    I don’t know why do I lose my patients at some moment
    but later I feel so bad and I cry every time

    Reply

      1. Pallavi, really, we all do Honey. Apologising and having a big hug is all you need to do to turn it round, and it teachers your little one that everyone makes mistakes and has a bad day, so you can turn a negative into a positive. My little boy is 5 now and sometimes if I am mid rant, he comes to me and says “It’s okay Mammy, let’s just hug it out!” :) ((HUGS)) x.

  21. Reblogged this on The Forever Years and commented:
    This is so very awesome and has given me some great ideas for tomorrow (which I am spending with my 4 year old). Upbeat, positive and inspiring :)

    Reply

  22. I have never signed up to follow a blog before, until now. This made me cry, and I am determined to go through the whole list with my 5 year old boy :) He is the most loving and funny little man, but also very spirited, so we have to keep thinking in this house, boredom sets in pretty fast ha ha. Thank you Honey.

    Reply

  23. Sounds exhausting. How about just observing and interacting with them and following their lead? That’s where the magic is.

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      1. I love your humble response to the negative one above. You are a true example of a Godly woman. Thank you for sharing your fun and creative ideas! Hugs!

  26. getting all teary-eyed as I am reading this. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful ideas!!!

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  27. I’ve done some of these stuff with my son (5) and daughter (3). Thanks so much for the other ideas, I will do all of them. It made my heart melt just thinking about how I’ve already missed out having fun with them because of my workload. These simple ways are truly inspiring. Thanks a lot! :)

    Reply

  30. Perfect timing. I am in tears… I too am in love with God and as a single mom, often times trying to balance work, home and my ministry, I forget that my children will only be kids for so long. How time flies and there is nothing we can do to go back and do it again. I do have moments as the ones you described, but I felt in my heart that I don’t have enought, I should be having more funny crazy moments, a lot more. Your blog has inspired me to breathe a little and enjoy more of the most valuable gift GOD has ever given me- MY BOYS…thank you and GOD BLESS!
    Starring contest will be tonight ;)

    Reply

  31. Loved 10 ideas! Defnitely doing that.. Funway of connecting with my 4&7 year old.. Thanxxx, God bless!

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  33. Heyy….loved reading it…m sure it will help me enjoy quality time with my toddler (2 n half years old baby girl)….. Especially the idea of keeping away mobile phones for a whole day….her day..!!
    Thanks..!! :)

    Reply
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  36. I just read your blog. Love this. I am a 73 great grand mother and you are so right on! My husband and I still do “remember when”. Keep up the encouraging notes to these mamas. They need them and I am reminded also that I still do not know it all, but I am still here💖

    Reply

  38. from all the way over in New Zealand…thank you, I’m going to pass this onto my husband to read…especially the ‘phone’ point…it is all magical, like our boys…love them dearly…more than life itself…don’t want them growing up too fast, yet they already are, thanks again! love it!

    Reply

      1. Thank you for this, today especially. Busy chaotic morning getting all 3 boys ages 8, 10 and 12 out of the house, screaming and yelling for them to get ready. Will definitively do some of your suggestions after school today 😊. Lovely article, thank you!

  43. A great blog!!! Sometimes I forgot they’re just litlle girls and I demand to much from them…. and we lost many great moments….. I’ll try to put these tips on practice with them as soon as possible!!!!!

    Reply

  46. Mine is 13 now, and “Moments” are excrutiatingly hard to come by. I’ll give these a try…I don’t think he’ll be able to hide the phone for an hour, let alone a day. Thanks for sharing. Time is FLYING.

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  48. Love it to the max! It made me cry. I’m proud to be the mother of 3 adorable little angels. Grateful that God let me borrow them to cherish them for the rest of my life…

    Reply

  49. Thank you. This is such a beautiful post and such an important reminder. We spend so much of our time together saying ‘just a sec , in a minute, I’ll just do this then I’ll be right with you’ and I’m not. I try to balance the ‘has to be done’ list with prioritising the kids, their needs and just stopping and breathing together. Some days it’s not easy. Some times it’s impossible, but planning a day where embracing your babies and it only being about them sounds perfect. You have given me some fab ideas as a head start. Thank you x

    Reply

  50. Thank you for the tips, I’ve never been so good at being a parent so any help is appreciated, I have two energetic sons and a lot of the time I feel gutted because I yelled at them for trying to get my attention. But thank you i am going to incorporate this into our lives

    Reply

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