One-On-One

When we had my 3rd child, I started to realize how important it was going to be to make sure we allowed one-on-one time with each of our children with both parents together, and then time with mom alone and dad alone. Some of these are more involved, but some of them can easily be built into even the busiest of days. My life at least, has been known to be mega-chaotic for long spans of time. In times of trial, or a major event, moments still need to be made (they won't just happen usually) to show to your children that their needs are still paramount, and their happiness is of the utmost importance to you.

• Father-Son or Daddy-Daughter Bike Rides
• Trips to the store to buy a soda from the vending machines
• Friday night scrapbooking nights (put the other kids to bed on time, and allow this child to stay up extra late with you).
• Friday night movie nights (take them to the movie store, or redbox and let them pick the movie. Even if it's Polly Pocket or Ben 10...it's only one night :) )
• Let them to make dinner with you
• Slurpee or Frosty Break! This one is great because 7-11 and Wendy's are usually open really late.
• Visit a pet store to pet the animals.
• Grocery Shopping! (I know what you are thinking on this one, but if you can allow yourself [okay I'm talking to me here] to not be rushed...the time to just walk and talk is a great thing).
• Hikes...if you have something important to talk about...make it a long one :)
• Read or talk about scriptures together. Favorite heroes, scariest stories, what story most applies to them, what book of mormon hero are you (this one gets some pretty funny responses)...all of these are great simple things to talk about on the spur of the moment.
• Read anything together.
• Take time to pray specifically for your children in front of your children. This is a very powerful tool for building and strengthening relationships.
• Angie said "One thing we do is let one of the kids choose an activity (within reason) and then they choose if they want to do this alone with mom or dad or as a family. It has been fun and the kids get excited that they are in charge of their activity."
• Aislinn said her dad used to dance with her in the living room...cuteness :)
• Aislinn also said "[Dad would] take us to a fancy place for dinner and treat us like we were adults. That always made us feel special."
• Take your daughter to the local beauty college for a beauty treatment. I took Liah to Fran Brown, spent a grand total of $2 and got her fingers and toes painted...complete with polka dots! She was in heaven ;)