Between routine, work and sleep, we know very well how time flies and that the famous work-family balance requires a lot of organization. Tips and tricks to maximize your schedule to spend more quality time with your children.
Consult your children
During a meal, go around the table and ask each family member what quality family time means to them and what their favorite times are in your routine. Let the answers guide you further.
Leave technology aside
All the little moments can be of quality when you are fully in the present moment. To achieve this, we turn off the television and our cell phones. Tip: plan a box or a basket placed at the entrance of the house where everyone can leave their cell phone there during certain predetermined time slots together.
Summer hours
Many employers are familiar with this principle. If this is the case for your company, take advantage of these few hours off on Friday afternoon to devote yourself toyour children by picking them up early at school or daycare. If this is not the case for your company, why not open the discussion with your colleagues and your employer.
Create magic
At least once a week, create a magical family moment that your children will remember later. Whether it's picking up your child from school at lunchtime to bring them to dinner (if of course, logistics allow it), camping in the yard in the summer.
Work from home when possible
If your employer is open to the idea and your job allows it. Just one day a week at home can make all the difference in welcoming your children back from school earlier and getting a little early for dinner to enjoy your family evening.
Put family on the agenda
Between medical appointments, meetings at work and sports practices for each other, the family agenda is filling up at breakneck speed. What if we made an appointment with our family at least once a week to do an activity that we all love together? For example, reserve your Wednesday evening for a pizza dinner and board games or Sunday morning for a family brunch at the restaurant? Whatever your obligations, reserve this time slot in your calendar.
Prepare lunches the night before
At the same time as preparing lunches in the evening or on Sundays, take a few extra minutes to prepare thebreakfast the next day for the whole family: a complete smoothie, muffins that will be ready to serve or blueberry and banana pancakes to prepare the day before. This will give you more time in the morning to eat with your children.
Include your children as much as possible in your activities
Do your children have a pedagogical day? Why not check with your employer if the latter would accept the presence of a small assistant in the office for a day? As a general rule, children love these days that are out of the ordinary. You could even entrust them with simple tasks such as sticking labels on envelopes, watering plants or serving coffee for your colleagues.
Turn tasks into something fun
Since housework takes up valuable time, why not optimize the time spent on it. Easier said than done? It all depends on the age of your children. Parents sometimes take it for granted that children will not have fun helping out with cleaning, grocery shopping or cooking. Dress up and play their favorite music while dusting the house, take them grocery shopping at a place that offers free fruit for the kids, or get them involved in cooking a fun recipe for lunches to come during the week. Give your kids missions to make it fun and challenging and accept that it might not be done exactly the way you want.
Alone time
About once a month or more if you are able, schedule alone time with each of your children. It is very often a moment that leaves room for rapprochements and confidences. Check out our great ideas for making time for each of your children.
