Ways to Be Present in Your Child's Day

Each moment in our day we have the choice to be present. Our children will not only benefit from it, but we will reap the rewards.

• Sing "This Little Piggie Went to Market" as you put on your child’s socks.
• Make eye contact when your child asks you a question.
• Use different voices when reading a bedtime story.
• Get on the floor and invite your child to join you.
• Create a gratitude journal with your kids and add to it through the day.
• Put down your smart phone. Set it aside and pick it up and check it once and hour.
• Teach your child a play you knew as a child.
• Find ways to say "Yes" rather than "No."
• Reflect on what your child is doing at that moment. "You are standing on one leg. You are jumping up and down." Don’t feel you have to praise for no reason … kids just enjoy the focused attention.
• Teach your child a simple chore.
• Slow down. Take twice as long as you plan on doing something, and do it with your child.
• Tell your child about an experience you had when you were his/her age.
• Soak in your child’s stories. Ask for more details.
• Ask your child what he/she would like to do for ten minutes. Set a timer and have fun.
• Go into the yard and see what type of creatures you can find.
• Exercise together!
• Bring out your photo album and share a special memory.
• Offer a hug.
• Ask your child to help you with whatever your working on.
• Go on a lunch date.
• Visit the library.
• Tell your child about the first week after they were born.
• Tell your child the meaning of her name.
• Memorize a Bible verse together.
• Turn off the Television