{"id":31,"date":"2015-12-21T06:00:35","date_gmt":"2015-12-21T06:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog001.iseeme.com\/?p=31"},"modified":"2015-11-18T17:34:37","modified_gmt":"2015-11-18T17:34:37","slug":"giving-children-the-gift-of-your-time-this-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.iseeme.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/21\/giving-children-the-gift-of-your-time-this-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Children The Gift Of Your Time This Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the holidays, cherished time with our children can slip away from us. We get so busy cooking meals, hosting out-of-town guests, shopping, wrapping gifts, and keeping up with parties and commitments that our kids may feel like they\u2019re in the way during this very special time of year.<\/p>\n

While showering your children with holiday gifts is nice, what kids really need and want is our time and attention. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together these top 12 “gifts of your time” this holiday \u00a0(psst \u2013 these things don\u2019t cost you any money either!):<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0 \u00a0Bake Together:<\/strong> \u00a0Invite your children to bake cookies with you \u2013 allowing them to put their special touches on many of your baked goods. Assign them important jobs from helping you sift flour to packaging items in baggies. The more included they are in the process, the more special they\u2019ll feel!<\/p>\n

2. \u00a0 \u00a0Exercise Together:<\/strong> \u00a0De-stress as a family by making a morning walk once a week (or more) a family ritual. For example, if weather permits, take a stroll every Sunday morning together to a coffee shop. Enjoy exercise, fresh air and quality time as a family.<\/p>\n

3. \u00a0 \u00a0Make Your Child a Gift: \u00a0<\/strong>Children make handmade gifts for their parents all the time. Show your child you took the time to make them a homemade gift too \u2013 maybe a coupon book of your own or a scrapbook of your memories together.<\/p>\n

4. \u00a0 \u00a0Snuggle:<\/strong> \u00a0Our children need to be held and what better way to do that than to spend a few moments at the end of each day to snuggle in bed. Just listen to anything they have to say and don\u2019t allow iPhones or other distractions get in the way of your quality snuggle time!<\/p>\n

5. \u00a0 \u00a0Be Silly:<\/strong> \u00a0When children see their parents stressed, they feel stressed too. However, the opposite can be true as well. When you\u2019re silly, they\u2019ll feeling silly. Sing goofy holiday songs while you cook, decorate the cookies with funny toppings, and use silly voices when reading to your child.<\/p>\n

6. \u00a0 \u00a0Ask Your Child to Help:<\/strong> \u00a0Parents can feel overwhelmed by all the holiday commitments so much so that they forget to ask for help. Your child may be more than willing to walk the dog, wrap some presents or package treats for their teachers. Give them an age appropriate job and let them soar!<\/p>\n

7. \u00a0 \u00a0Cherish Quiet Moments: \u00a0<\/strong>There\u2019s a lot of go-go during the holidays, so when there are lulls in the week, enjoy some quiet moments listening to your kids. Sit and read a book or play a board game together, laugh together, and truly listen to your child when she speaks.<\/p>\n

8. \u00a0 \u00a0Say It: \u00a0<\/strong>Kids need to hear everyday that they\u2019re loved, that they\u2019re worthy, and that they\u2019re special. Say these things often \u2013 don\u2019t let a day go by without making them feel special no matter how busy you get.<\/p>\n

9. \u00a0 \u00a0Leave Notes:<\/strong> \u00a0Our kids love getting special attention at unexpected times. Slip a note in their lunch box or dance bag, tape a note to his bathroom mirror, or slip a note under her pillow at night. Perhaps you could even sign your notes from, \u201cYour Secret Admirer,\u201d and keep your kid guessing who might have left them the notes! Little gestures of love go a long way to building a child\u2019s self esteem.<\/p>\n

10. \u00a0Read, Read, Read:<\/strong> \u00a0Reading can help clear your mind of all the stress of the day and whisk you away into a made up land of fairies and aliens. Enjoy a few books together throughout the day \u2013 not just at night \u2013 and let both of your minds fall into relaxation mode. Give your child plenty of fun books to cherish, including a personalized book from I See Me!<\/a> where your child can be the star of his or her very own adventure!<\/p>\n

11. Watch Her:<\/strong> \u00a0Children are excited to share their newest talent with their parents. How many times have we heard, \u201cWatch me dance,\u201d or \u201cWatch me do a cartwheel,\u201d and we simply respond by saying, \u201cThat\u2019s nice honey.\u201d \u00a0Set the stage for your child to put on a performance and be a good, undistracted audience member no matter how busy you are.<\/p>\n

12. Make Him a Special Meal:<\/strong> \u00a0Food is a language of love. Ask your child what his favorite meal is and then make that meal especially for him one day. Perhaps it\u2019s a special meal you only make on occasion, but he\u2019ll know you made it just because you love him.<\/p>\n

Remember, don\u2019t let the holiday stress deter you from what\u2019s important. Take the time to make your child feel loved and special this holiday season. You might just find you feel better for it too!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During the holidays, cherished time with our children can slip away from us. We get so busy cooking meals, hosting out-of-town guests, shopping, wrapping gifts, and keeping up with parties and commitments that our kids may feel like they\u2019re in the way during this very special time of year. While showering your children with holiday gifts is nice, what kids really need and want is our time and attention. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together these <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4,6],"tags":[14,20],"yoast_head":"\nGiving Children The Gift Of Your Time This Holiday - I See Me! 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