11.08.2013

Family Friday: Date with the Kids

Second Friday of the month: Parenthood / Kids

I'm a full time homemaker and I consider myself fortunate to be able to spend a good amount of time with my children.  There are days I feel burned out and just want to escape and hide from them, or even have a quick snack date with J. Even taking a longer bathroom break is a good consolation if I can't have an hour of alone time.  We do recognize that we need to have regular dates with the kids, and more so, a one-on-one time with each child.


We started doing more regular solo dates with the boy and the girl last year, but schedule was not consistent.  Instead, we had like a "family date" once a month where we just go out to shop or dine, just the four of us.  Honestly, it's much more convenient having a yaya (nanny) with us, even if it means spending more when we're out with them.

Going to the movies, to the mall, the park or museum, dining out - these were our usual week-ender, and yaya gets to tag along too.
FAMILY MOVIE DATE

We are yaya-less for over a month now and all of us are coping.  The kids are older so and going out with them does not require a full production anymore, unlike when they were babies and toddlers.  Parents of little kids can understand - just dining out or going to the mall means having to bring big bags full of might-need-this-in-case-of-emergency stuff, on top of food, change of clothes, wet wipes, and more.  Now, we're getting by with just a water tumbler and pack of wipes when we go out with these two.  Sometimes, pen and notepad, and gadgets come along with us too, which I can't deny is a perfect distraction when they get bored and restless while waiting for the food to be served.  I also told J that solo "dates" with each kid will be scheduled.

OUTDOOR TIME AT THE PLAYGROUND

FAMILY DATE NIGHT AT THE PIZZA PARLOR

Parenting and child experts say the same thing - spending quality time with each child (if you have two or more) is crucial to help the child feel secure and important, boost self-esteem, open communication lines, and receive undivided attention of the parent/s (not shared with a sibling).

ON THE ROAD WITH THE BOY

I often schedule some date time on the weekends or after school.  When I accompany the kids to their respective extra curricular activities, I also try to use the waiting time (whether just 30 minutes, or more than 1 hour) to have a mommy-and-girl day or a mommy-and-boy day.  They both really like having those solo "date" with mommy, or daddy, even if it means just having a scoop of ice cream, going to the grocery with me, or grabbing a burger.  We give them the opportunity to choose what they like to do, what to eat, or where to go, with some suggestions from me, of course. =)  Here's a peek of where and how we spend a date with the boy and the girl.

SAVORING A CUP OF GELATO WITH THE GIRL


FISH & CHIPS LUNCH WITH THE BOY

CHECKING OUT NEW BOOKS WITH THE GIRL

A TREAT FOR THE BOY - WITH CREATE-YOUR-OWN PIZZA

The boy and the girl often act like cat and dog, giving us more wrinkles and high blood pressure! But when they're in a good mood, these two just want to be together, and that makes the date even sweeter.

Do you have kids?  How do you spend solo dates with them?
MOMMY DATE WITH CREPES AND FRENCH TOAST

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