Purposeful Parenting: Summer Playtime

Carving out meaningful time with each of your children every day can simultaneously sound like a no-brainer and — in the midst of all the scheduled activities and day-to-day responsibilities — a daunting task.  As parents, we all want to connect with our children in positive ways, whether they are infants, teenagers or any age in between.  It is awesome when it happens spontaneously, but like all things we wish to master, doing it well on a consistent basis takes effort, patience, and lots of practice.

July is Purposeful Parenting Month. What better time than the heart of summer to take on the challenge of engaging with your children and making the commitment to develop a lifelong habit of connecting with them in positive ways.  And, guess what?  It isn’t hard to do!

Tips for Practicing Purposeful Parenting

“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel”  -Maya Angelou

Lasting family memories are less about what you do or the money you spend and more about your presence.  Make it a goal to spend 15 minutes of uninterrupted time with each family member to create meaningful connections, strengthen relationships, and show them how valuable they are.  

  • Practice good listening skills.  When your son or daughter is speaking, really focus on what they are saying, rather than on what you are going to say next or other things you have on your mind. Ask questions and listen to the answers. Encourage them to express their thoughts and opinions, and respond without judgment.  Let them know that you value them, and that what they say matters – even if you are just having fun and being silly.
  • Watching television, time in the car, or doing chores such as cleaning up or cooking dinner, are often an excuse not to talk. Why not make these activities an opportunity to engage with your child?  Even if you are focused on what you are doing, just being together can be an invitation for kids, particularly teens, to open up.  
  • Find creative ways to make memories your child will cherish for years to come.  While trips to Mexico or Disney World are certainly memory-worthy, the best memories are not necessarily the most expensive or complicated.  Memorable moments are often simple and don’t cost a penny.  Come up with your own family traditions, like taking a walk together after dinner, playing board games, or just sharing something about your day before you say goodnight.  Listening and being present with each other is what matters most.

Things That Get In the Way

Contemporary life shows no signs of slowing down, unless we make doing so a priority.  In our efforts to keep up and get it all done, our down time is often spent zoning out, rather than engaging.  We are either on or off, which leaves little time to connect with our families.

Common culprits are:

  • Screens
  • Overscheduling
  • Not enough sleep
  • Putting too much pressure on “family time,” for example, spending too much time, money and energy on a vacation, which ends up causing stress and anxiety rather than promoting togetherness and relaxation.

How do you know your family is overscheduled?

There are definite signs that can indicate that you or members of your family are overscheduled and in need of time to connect:

  • Snapping in response to questions or comments
  • Feeling frustrated most of the time
  • Having a temper or short fuse
  • Experiencing intense feelings in your body
  • Kids acting out to get your attention
  • Not having fun together
  • Lacking ease and humor; no laughing
  • Always rushing, feeling anxious and stressed
  • Feeling overwhelmed

Sometimes downtime needs to be scheduled

When you are making plans, schedule in some free time for everyone, as well as time to be together with no obligations or expectations other than to be with one another.  Below are some suggestions of opportunities to connect in meaningful ways and make family memories.

PURPOSEFUL CELEBRATIONS

BBQ – Church/Neighborhood Party – Hunting

Picnic – Bobbing for Apples – Circus       

Family Dinners – Ice Cream Party – Zoo

Game Night – Piñatas – Go Karts

Poker Night – 4-Wheeling – Snorkeling

Card Games – Biking – Car Show

Theme Party – Hiking – Road Trip

Dance Party – Fishing – Camp Fire

Video Games – Camping – School Dance

Movie Night – Skiing/Snowboard – Beach

Sporting Events – Take a mountain drive – Wii Party

Play Sports – Go to the Park – Sport Game Party

Boating – Tailgating – Pool Party – New Years Party           

Take a Vacation – Decorating Party – Spa Day

Fire Works – Shopping – Easter Egg Hunt

Concert – Costume Party – Paintball

Mystery Party – Surfing – Trick or Treating – Musical/Plays

Eating Contest – Cooking Party – YOUR TURN, LIST YOUR OWN!