How to Give Children Individual Attention

If you are a parent with two or more children, you may be plagued with guilt, as they all vie for a piece of one on one time with you. What you may be asking yourself is, "How can I possibly make time for all my kids separately?" It's really not as difficult or as time consuming as you think. A little bit of your time goes a long way and here are a few ideas to get you started.

Instructions

1. Make a date night. Assign a day of the week per child and make a date with him. Set aside a half an hour to spend with that child only. Play a game of cards, read a book together or watch his favorite television show snuggled up under a blanket together. Make sure you let him choose the activity. It's his time, let him share a part of his life with you.

2. Alternate kids. When you go to the grocery store, take turns letting each child go. This gives them some mommy and me time. It's time for her to talk to you about her day, time for her to ride up front without battling her siblings, time to hold your hand as you walk through the parking lot. Little trips like this can mean the world to a child.

3. Make a cooking schedule. Make out a rotating schedule that allows each child a night to help you cook dinner, just the two of you. Not only will he receive some badly needed one-on-one attention from you, but he will also learn a valuable life lesson in the process.

4. Schedule talk time. Every day after school, call each child into your bedroom one by one and talk to her for a few minutes about her day at school. Showing that you care about her day will make her feel extremely important as a person. The fact that you have taken the time to ask them all separately will make them feel like you care about them as individuals, not just as a group known as "your kids." Promoting individuality and self esteem is what being a parent is all about.