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by Lisa Marie Fletcher E.C.E.
Being able to spend quality time with your children while still balancing what needs to be done to help our business succeed is one of the hardest things about being a WAHM. No matter how busy we are or how much we have to get done, our children need to be a top priority for us for their emotional, developmental and social well-being as well as for ourselves.
Emotionally
Quality time with your children keeps them emotionally satisfied. Children want, need, and crave those special interactions with their parents that no other caregiver can provide. There’s just something wonderful about creating memories with your child. This special time is a perfect way to affirm your love for them and build their self-esteem knowing they are worthy of your attention. By providing them with a chance to excel, be silly/ creative/challenged we also give them a chance to learn how they feel about different things and how to react in a variety of scenarios.
Amazingly enough, you will be happier too – and likely even more productive! After all, most moms choose to work-at-home to spend more time with their children and feel guilty when they realize they aren’t. By prioritizing that quality time with your children, you will more successful as a parent and that will be reflected in your work.
Developmentally
Did you know that play is not just something fun? It is really all about learning and developing skills they will need as adults. Doing a wide variety of activities to help encourage the mastering of skills is a great thing to do when you are spending quality time with your children. And best of all, they rarely know they are learning! For example, a trip to the playground teaches and enhances balance, co-ordination, taking turns, co-operation, running, climbing, etc but also is a great place to learn about gravity, cause & effect and more! Who knew there was so much to learn at the playground?
Since the early years are the most crucial for the learning and perfecting of many of the skills they need in the future, spending quality time with your children doing a wide range if things is a great way to introduce them and encourage them as they learn.
Socially
Spending time with your children isn’t just about doing new things, making a beautiful craft or wearing off some excess energy. It’s also about seeing how people interact with each other, finding out about how manners work, and learning the skills to successful treat others with respect. First they learn how to interact with us, their parents, but they need a wider base than that. Although they are able to imitate our business phone calls and interactions, children don’t really understand what they are doing. It’s a growing process. By providing them with the chance to meet others, see how they live and appreciate everyone, children will grow into nurturing, caring, respectful adults.
It’s important for parents to set aside that much needed quality time with your children in order to see them blossom and succeed. It not only will make our children feel better about themselves and their value, but it helps parents feel better and more positive in our parenting roles. Instead of feeling guilty about working, quality kid time makes it possible for work at home moms to be more successful at their business knowing their children are happy and content.
BUT WHAT TO DO?
Coming up with ideas about what to do with your kids can be a challenge.
Make It Fun Mom! will give you a whole selection of new ideas every month.
Written by Lisa Marie Fletcher - E.C.E. each activity is designed to not only be fun, but to help your child's development.
