This year i really want to be more intentional with the time i spend with my family. We have a few family traditions we do (which i hope to post about soon), but i always seem to be struggling with spending one on one quality time with my kids, especially with our newest addition in the mix.
There is this idea that i thought was simple, yet effective. Considering she's got 6 kids (!!!), you'd certainly need to be intentional about putting aside time for each little one.
WE do have this box of rewards 'tickets' that the kids can earn when they do something really good, like get an award in class or are extra helpful at home. And it includes little things they can do with us as well. But i really want to plan something that is more regualr. That the kids can look forward to.
We also used to have meeting night every tuesday night. OUr meeting would be held after dinner and we would all get our chance to talk about things that concerned us, household stuff, family stuff....whatever. Sometimes would would make goals as a family for that next week. Sometimes we would end our meeting with dessert (dessert is a real treat in this house). It was good....i'm not really sure why we stopped. Might have to bring that one back ;)
We have been trying to have a games night at least once a week. So far, not going so well. Things just seem to keep coming up and we have to keep postponing it. But this year i want to make every friday night GAMES NIGHT...or maybe Sunday night? Give the kids something to look forward to at the end of the school week. Create memories and encourage family time together. Especially because i have two almost teenagers, and i'm afraid one day soon they wont be so easy to spend time with. I'm fearing the day when mummy is no longer 'the bomb'. When i become....dare i say....embarassing. Sigh.
We have introduced something eles this year. Every week one kids gets to spend a night with us doing something special. They stay up after thier siblings have gone to bed and we'll either have movie night up in our bed together, (My kids would love being able to hang out with us upastiars in our bedroom, watching movies and eating popcorn in bed. I'd love it too!) Or maybe do some late night crafting :) It's just a simple and easy way to make sure we have that time together on a more regular basis.
Another thing i did for awhile with Berry was let her cook one night a week. She LOVED it. The only reason i stopped was beacuse i was disorganised. Definitley need to bring that one back. And maybe see if i can get Entoni into as well.
One thing we love to do together as a family is go for bike rides. I think TJ loves this the most! We haven't done it in awhile because entonis bike broke, and i haven't yet replaced it. Hopefully i'll get him one before school goes back and we can start riding to school again :)
Stayed up waaaayyyyy too late last night working on these invites. I love the quiet time i have to get things done late at night when everyone eles is asleep.
I do not like the way being sooooo tired makes me feel the next day.
One more quick question for you before i end this kinds random post. HOW do you get a 18month old to let you brush his teeth? I know i've done this 3 times before, but it was a looooong time ago now. Everytime i try and get a toothbrush anywhere near his mouth he clenches his jar like no tomorrow! I've tried doing it with him, getting the kids to do it with him. we've tried making it fun, singing songs, bribery....please help!
Regarding the little fella, the only thing I can think of is some really yummy tasting toothpaste and a very cute toothbrush and let him do it himself even if it's a bit hit and miss at first. OR, hand this to him and you and the kids start singing a brushing teeth song and brush your own teeth, make it a fun game, don't try to get him to join in, he will anyway after a bit, then cheer and clap hands when he does it.
Posted by: lisavc | March 01, 2012 at 09:10 AM