In chaotic everyday life, parents can leverage the power of intention to ensure that they fit in what’s most important to them – the moments of fun, connection, and closeness with their kids!
To begin, pinpoint the consistent, repetitive actions that you most want to make a part of your family life and set ritual intentions. This will ensure that the “good stuff,” like playing catch together or having a silly game of hide and seek, doesn’t always get pushed to the bottom of the “to do” list. Here are 10 rituals to help get you started.
- Play with your kids and let them lead.
- Give your kids at least 15 minutes of time at bedtime to tell you about the ups and downs of their day.
- Be playful with your kids (have a dance party, tell jokes, read a funny book, etc.) at least once a day.
- Give your kids a hug and say, “I love you so much” every morning.
- Catch your kids doing something good at least three times a day and tell them you noticed.
- Give your kids a role, a job, or a way to contribute every day (like matching socks, passing out silverware, shoveling snow, or wiping down the counter).
- Play music or sing together.
- Get outside with your kids at least once a day.
- Sit down at every dinner, eat beside your kids, and have a conversation.
- Read together every day.
Adapted from Erin Leyba, LCSW, PhD