By Sherrie Le Masurier
Most parents especially those of us with young children tend to put our personal desires on the back burner and focus more on what our kids need. While this is all well and good, parents need a little fun of our own.
Following are two of our favorite ideas for enhancing quality time with our kids and quality time with our spouses. Believe it or not, with a little creativity it can be done. And, the outcome is all what you make it. A Family Splash Don’t let a rainy day hold you back from some fun time outdoors. Whether you’re alone or have the kids in tow you can turn even inclement weather to your advantage. Be a kid again and splash your feet in every puddle you can find. Your goal here, aside from having some fun yourself is to tire the kids out. Later when everyone (especially the kids) have had enough, go home, grab some hot towels (fresh out of the dryer) and warm up the kids, get them in their jammies (or in some comfort clothes) and put on a video. (This idea only works if your children are old enough to sit for a while and enjoy a movie by themselves, while you and your sweetie warm yourselves elsewhere in the house.) Don’t forget snacks for the kiddies – popcorn and hot chocolate is always a win in our homes. Once the kids are settled and happily enjoying their movie. You and your partner can indulge in a hot shower and in your own warm towels. Grocery Store Fun If you’ve looking for a great weekend idea, here’s a fun and romantic twist to grocery shopping and meal preparation. With many grocery stores now open 24 hours, this idea is a great way to spend a Saturday evening alone with your sweetie without having to hire a babysitter. Make an evening out of purchasing, cooking and enjoying a romantic dinner together. Sometime during the day consult with your significant other as to what type of food he or she would like. Take a few minutes to come up with a game plan – menu and ingredients. Write a detailed shopping list and then divide it in two. First feed the kids their dinner with the promise to take them on a grocery store hunt. Their reward for being a good sport is enjoying a ‘free’ cookie and/or a special bedtime treat. Most in-store bake shops offer free cookies to kids just for the asking. (If your kids are real young put them in their jammies before heading out for groceries. That way, you’ll save a little time when you get back.) Divide your family members into two teams like the boys against the girls. Make it a race to see who can find all the items on their shopping list and meet at the check out first. Further, you may want to make things even more interesting with older children by having each team predict the total cost of the grocery bill. The winning team gets to pick a special bedtime snack to bring home. When you get home, give the kids a few minutes to enjoy their ‘bedtime’ treat and then one of you unpacks the groceries and starts the sauces simmering, while the other puts the kids to bed. Once the kids are tucked in – pour yourselves a glass of wine, relax and enjoy some quality one-on-one time together. |