Working from home is supposed to let you spend more time with your children. Sometimes the reality though is your kids get pushed aside in order to meet a deadline. Just as you need to make the time to work, you also need to make the time for your children. Here are twelve ideas for spending more quality time with your children.

1)Schedule time in every day. Pick the time of day that your children seem to need you most and schedule that time to be about them only. Play a game, work on a puzzle or do an art project with them. Make this their special time of day.

2)Turn off the computer. Computers can be super distracting and it is tempting to just log in to check your email or your website statistics. That quick check can easily turn into 15, 30, or 60 minutes sitting at the computer. Take away the temptation and spend uninterrupted time with your kids.

3)On that note, turn off the television. Watching a movie or TV program together does not constitute quality time. You probably won’t be talking to each other while watching. You want to spend your time engaging with your children and not just vegging out on the sofa with them.

4)Have a work free day. Pick one day of the week in which you will not do any work related tasks. Take your children to the zoo or the park and just enjoy a day when you can focus on them. Not only will they look forward to your day together, you will get a nice day to relax as well.

5)Keep a quality time box. One of the hardest things about spending time with your children can be figuring out what to do together. Prepare ahead of time and have a box of activities to do that are new or things only used for a special time together. Your kids will love picking something out of the box and you won’t have to deal with the “I don’t know what I want to do” syndrome.

6)Plan a game night. Once a week have a family game night. A great game of Chutes and Ladders or Pictionary can be a wonderful time together. Let your children pick their favorite game and spend an hour or two playing. If you have more than one child consider rotating on a schedule who gets to choose the game.

7)Make meal time family time. Most homes are hectic with lessons, sports and school. Meals are usually eaten on the go as well. Your goal should be having at least one meal together with your children. Meal time should be about eating and talking to each other. Books, newspapers, and computers should not be a part of the meal.

8)Go on vacation. The ultimate in togetherness is the family vacation. Even just a weekend away can be a fun way to relax and spend some time with your children. With gas prices at an all time high, consider going on a trip right in your hometown. Many hotels have indoor pool areas and some even have water parks and indoor entertainment centers. You are sure to find something that appeals to everyone.

9)Get outside. Getting out and enjoying the fresh air together can really bring a family together. Go for a walk, play a game in the yard, or work on the garden together. Now is the perfect time to start a vegetable garden. This can create an opportunity to spend more time with your kids with weekly watering, weeding and harvesting sessions.

10)Cook together. Spending time together cooking in the kitchen can be entertainment to even the youngest of children. Children love the process of following a recipe, getting the ingredients, and mixing them together. Even more fun is sitting down together to enjoy what you have created. We even have a section on recipes you can make together.

11)Help with homework. Teachers seem to really pile on the homework these days and it can take a large part of the evening to get everything done. Spend some time with your kids to help them get it done. You may not be an expert in every topic but the effort you make will be treasured by your children. Plus they may teach you something.

12)Be spontaneous. Sometimes life means not sticking to the schedule. If you find the perfect opportunity to spend time with your children, just do it. Work and chores can always wait. Your children are only young once so take the time when you can get it.

What are your favorite ways to spend time with your children? Do you feel like you get enough quality time with them? Your children will appreciate the time you spend together.

Warmly,
Mia