Do you find yourself to be “too” busy and tired to be in the present moment with your children? Are you more invested in your job and house duties than spending time with your kids? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. I too can forget the real meaning of being a more present parent. I sometimes have to do this and that first before spending good quality time with my kids. Hey! it happens and the good news is that it can stop. Because nothing is worst than feeling regret after a long day and realizing you have not been in the moment with your children. You can be more present and you will!
Sometimes as parents we might forget the meaning of being a present parent. We are there with them but not really there, if that makes sense? I know you get what I’m trying to say. We need to fight the urge to go on social media for 5 seconds or rush our kids when they are telling us something because we need to get dinner on the table on time. Kids grow up so so fast and yes it’s so cliche to say those things, but the reality of things is that it’s so true.
Let’s savor these moments that we have with them. Let’s create fun loving memories that mean something to them and us. I am working on being more present with my children. I hope you can join me on this important journey in parenthood. I hope you can find these 9 easy ways to be a more present parent with your kids helpful and life changing.
9 easy ways to be more present with your kids
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1.Turn technology off
Let’s face it technology has taken over a big part of our everyday lives and it sometimes can seem that we can’t function without it. If you limit your technology usage and your children too, it will hep tremendously on your journey to being a more present parent. You can turn off your lap top, tablet and have your cell phone on silent for a couple of minutes. Take this time to focus on your child’s needs and bond with them. Show them that you are there.
This will also show them that technology is not everything and that they can also have fun without it.
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2.Set time aside
If you’re busy cooking, blogging or just simply doing house chores that seems never ending. Simply set a timer for whatever minutes you can and will spare to spend time with your child. The other day all three of my kids wanted me to play with them individually, so I told them that I will give each of them 10 minutes. It worked so well, because they knew what to expect and I also had my complete attention to each of them when it was their turn.
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3.Listen and ask questions
Kids love to talk and tell stories. Sometimes we may rush them or not really listen to them. How bout you stop whatever you’re doing (if it can wait) and listen. Listen to what your child is saying and ask them questions. Have a decent fun and real conversation with your child. Let him/her know that you care about what they have to say.
If you can’t listen to their stories at that very moment, ask them to give you 10 minutes and then you are all ears.
4.Be playful
You are a parent, you are the authority but that doesn’t mean you can’t be silly or have fun with your kids. Let loose and just be in the moment, you’ll be surprised of how much fun you will actually have. Also, it can help you release some stress that you may be feeling and you will definitely  be a happier mom.
You can have a family game night every week where your family turns off the technology, orders food and play games!
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5.Take advantage of family outings
Family outings is a great way to bond and be present with your kids. Even if you’re in your car, you can let go of your phone and talk with your family. Ask your kids questions like “where do you want to go eat” or “what’s your favorite part of the car ride” simple questions like that, will have your kids talking and expressing themselves to you.
Restaurants are not the perfect place to give your child your cell phone. Even though I am guilty of this, I have stopped recently because I want my children to know that family time is family time, not technology time.
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6. No social media
Social media can really suck the life out of you, can’t it? I mean you can just get lost in it and never come back. I am guilty of always being on Pinterest, I just love it and I know it’s technically not a social media but I still invest a lot of my time in it. I understand the power it has and how it can also take away from your time of being with your kids.
Social media can wait, maybe when your kids are napping, in school or sleeping at night it’s okay for you to be on it. Do not get caught up so much in it because you are loosing precious time with your children.
7. Involve them in everyday tasks
You might think that being present for your kids is to always be there whenever they need you to be. But guess what? They can be there for you too, like helping you fold the laundry (if they’re old enough), helping you cook and even helping you make their bed. You have to look at it in a way of building up your relationship and finding whatever time you have to be present.
My kids love to help me out, when I ask them to help me take out the laundry they do it. I love it because I’m getting my house chores done and I’m also talking and laughing with my kids. They are so silly and funny that they even make laundry fun for me!Â
Related article:
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8. Do something you enjoy and love
When you are doing something on the side that you love, you are a better and happier parent. Why? Because your identity is not lost in just being a mom or dad, you are more than that. Finding a hobby will make you less stressed and make you feel good about yourself.Â
When you are happy, you have more patience and therefor become a more present parent.Â
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9. Enjoy every minute
Let’s face it, our kids are not going to stay kids forever. I know, this reality is super sad but it’s the truth. You need to try your best to take time out of your busy day to devote it to your kids. Let them know that you are there, show them that they can confide in you and enjoy every minute of it.
Enjoy your children and enjoy being a mother (parent) because that’s the best gift you can ever receive.
Conclusion:
These are the important things that I am doing to become a more present mom. Being a more present parent to your kids takes commitment, dedication and consistency.You and I can totally do this. Yes, it can be hard to not get caught up in our normal daily activities, but it’s something that you and I need to overcome.
Your kids need you, they want you to be in their lives. Following these simple tips will help you achieve just that. Let go of technology whether it’s your cellphone, lap top or tablet. Let it go for a couple of minutes because you’ll be glad you did. Social media can wait, take advantage of your family outings to really build that bond. Talk and listen to your kids, ask them questions and get involved. You can definitely be silly with them, show them that you can also have fun. Letting them help you cook or fold clothes can also show them that you are present and you can also create loving memories in the simple everyday tasks.
Remember to set aside some time during your day to be present with your kids. Â I hope you can implement these helpful tips to your everyday life and start seeing how being a present parent is the best thing that you can do for both you and your children.
