At the heart of intentional motherhood is connecting with your children in a way that conveys the love you have for the person God made them to be. All of us want to be intentional about connecting with our children, but sometimes the pressures of the to-do list get in the way and before we get everything done, the day has slipped away and with it all our good intentions about being intentional.
I know that I sometimes get caught in the trap of thinking that I need to set aside an hour at a time to connect with each child. Truth be told, small moments throughout the day count as much as or more than an hour set aside every once in a while. I have started making more of a conscious effort to utilizes the small moments to make big connections.
The small moments are everywhere:
- Waiting for the washing machine to spin out
- Walking from the bedroom to the kitchen
- Changing a diaper
- Waiting at the doctor’s office
Those are just a few small windows of time you can use to intentionally connect with your child’s heart. I’m sure I will be writing more on this at a later time, but for now here are 10 easy ways you can use to connect with your child during the small moments.
- Read a picture book.
We keep a basket of favorites in the living room where we can snuggle up on the couch and everyone can see the pictures. Picture books are also an important part of our bedtime routines—the perfect way to connect at the end of the day.
- Have a pillow fight.
Few things light up my children’s eyes like having the couch pillows thrown at them and letting them throw the pillow back at me. This is an especially good way to connect with your little boys as it gives them a little of the rough and tumble play they seem to crave.
- Give a bear hug.
This may be the quickest connection of them all. A big, growly squeeze makes even our grumpiest kiddo break a smile. Bear hugs have become a nightly routine just before Daddy reads the bedtime stories.
- Sing a song together.
Memorize a few kids’ songs or nursery rhymes and sing them with your children while you drive down the road, clean up the living room, or fix lunch.
- Have a dance off.
While you have the songs going, why not bust a few moves. Most kiddos love to show their moves off, and mommies make the best dance partners.
- Give a sincere compliment.
Let your children know you love them just for being them. Make sure you compliment them on their character traits and not just on their physical appearance.
- Have a staring contest.
Eye-contact is a powerful connecting force, and children love the competition.
- Give a piggy-back ride.
I give rides from the bedroom to the kitchen in the morning, or from the living room to the bathroom when it is time to get ready for naptimes. Piggy-back rides can give a sense of fun to transitions that might otherwise be resisted.
- Take a leisurely stroll together.
Set out at your child’s pace. Stop to notice the rock on the ground, or point out the bird. Even just five minutes out in your yard together can create a special connection.
- Pray for and with your child.
Ask your children what they would like to thank God for or what might be troubling them. Pray with them about those requests, and let them hear you pray over them.
Today, will you join me in seeking the little moments you can use to connect with your child? What are some of your favorite ways to connect with your little ones?
Be sure to grab your free printable of my 10 Easy Ways to Connect with Your Child by signing up for the Calamus Mom Newletter.
