Do Try THIS at Home

This week's 8 day challenge is One on One Time.  

I'm here to encourage you (parents/spouses) to take time to spend alone with each individual in your family.  And to do it more than just once!  Preferably, make it a consistent thing.  This practice is important in any family, whether there are only two of you, if you have really young children, or even if you have many grandchildren. 

It's all about strengthening relationships, providing opportunities for fun and relaxed conversation, and becoming comfortable enough with one another to share our concerns, joys, dreams, and sorrows.  Every parent should be afforded the time (or more likely, make the time) to spend one on one with each child.  This is a time to have fun with them, to learn more about them, to encourage them, to laugh and feel close to each other.  Just as important, is taking time to spend alone with your spouse.  One on one time is a good way to nourish and strengthen the relationships within your family, consequently strengthening your family as a whole.

So for this week: 

•  Plan Activities.  Think about each member of your family.  Consider what they like to do.  Find something that shows them that you recognize their interests and want to participate in things they enjoy.  Think of things that encourage communication (even if you sit through a movie, go get ice cream or something afterward).  It doesn't have to be big and fancy.  It doesn't have to cost money.  It doesn't really have to be away from home.  It doesn't have to take a ton of time either (though the quantity is important -some is always better than none).  Maybe your infant likes to gnaw on carrots and watch you do the hand motions for Itsy Bitsy Spider.  The requirements are:  1.  Enjoyable Activity.    2.  Conducive to Communication.  3.  Alone.

• Set a Date.  After you have an idea of something you could do with each individual, look at your family calendar.  Decide when you will spend one on one time with the members of your family.  Maybe your family is so large that you'll have to spread your plans out over the next two or three months.  Or maybe your family is just the two of you and this is something you could do weekly.  Whatever the case, make the dates and record them and announce them and prepare for them.  This should be a special thing.  It should be fun.  It should be something to eagerly anticipate.  
• Follow Through.  Do what you have advertised and planned for.  Make it happen and make it fun.  Remember that this should be a time for enjoying each other's company. 
• Evaluate.  After you complete each "date", personally assess it and use your assessment as you plan for the next one.  Note that improving upon the last doesn't mean making more elaborate plans.

I hope you try this and find that it really is beneficial.  A wise man once said, "Parents should work to create loving, eternal connections with their children".  One on one time is a good way to create and strengthen these connections and also the connections between husband and wife.  Go on, give it a try!