Tips for Keeping Children Involved in Parenting Time Activities

If you could help your child live a happier life and grow up to be a happier adult, wouldn’t you try to make your parenting time more memorable? Every moment you spend with your child is an opportunity to build and strengthen your relationship. If you’re wondering how to do that, here are some tips to help you along the way.

TIP #1: Stick to the Plan.
When you pick up your child at the parenting time exchange, You should have a plan for how you will spend your time together. Maybe you’ve arranged to go for a walk in the desert on a Saturday afternoon with your daughter, or planned a Sunday matinee with your son. Make sure you stick to your plans because if you don’t, your child will learn to expect broken promises and disappointments from her.

TIP #2: Exercise good time management.
We all get distracted from time to time, and sometimes small tasks end up taking a lot longer than we expected. However, when it comes to parenting time with your child, you really need to prioritize and make good time management decisions. Don’t get so involved in your projects or work that your parenting time slips away. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, but don’t be too quick to reschedule your parent-child activities for something else that could be done another time.

TIP #3: Avoid routinely leaving your child with other people.
When you have parenting time, don’t routinely drop your child off at a friend’s or family member’s house so they can have the freedom to do something else. Not only will that practice become boring for your friends and family, but your child will quickly realize that you’re not really interested in spending time alone with him or her.

TIP #4: Let your child lean on you.
You need to stay strong so that your child can always lean on you or trust you. No matter how mature you think your son or daughter is, if he or she is struggling with personal issues, don’t turn to your child for advice as their best friend. Doing so will only make your problems your child’s problems. If you need emotional support, you should seek help from an adult family member, a close friend, your pastor, or a family counselor.

TIP #5: Commemorate the good times.
When memories are refreshed, conversations arise and happy moments are relived and relived.Creating a scrapbook is an easy way for a child to express their memories of the events and activities they enjoyed during parenting time. By keeping small mementos such as event tickets, promotional brochures, winning ribbons, scorecards, etc., combined with photos and a short review, happy moments are captured in a memory book. And scrapbooks become keepsakes that your grandchildren will one day see.

TIP #6: Plan to have fun.
When it’s your turn to spend social time with your child, make sure you have an area in your home set up for fun times. Create a relaxed environment with access to board games, toys, and comfortable kid-friendly furniture so you can both relax, talk, and enjoy each other’s company.

TIP #7: Share a special meal together.
Plan at least one special meal together during your parenting time. Try to keep the television and computer off as well. Reserve a time, share a meal together and be a family.

TIP #8: Create an Activity Fund.
You might consider setting aside some money in an activity fund to pay for outings that you and your child will enjoy together during your parenting time. Being creative doesn’t mean you have to empty your bank account once a week. If you set aside money for a day trip to the zoo, for example, bring a picnic lunch instead of dinner at a restaurant. For most parents, planning a trip, perhaps to the Grand Canyon, means planning well in advance and saving money over a longer period of time.

Parenting time means relationship-building time for you and your child. So make the most of the time you have together and enjoy each other’s company to the fullest.