It's DATES! DATES for all! (Yes that includes Derek and I, but you don't get to hear about THAT today!)
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| From Feb 2011 |
So, because we are choosing to home-school, there are of course trade-offs. One thing I know I don't get that other moms do is time with one kid gone. We are basically all together all the time. This is the way we want it. It's part of why we are choosing home-based education.
HOWEVER, that does not negate the importance of one-on-one time with our children. My mom pointed it out to me a long time ago; how important that one-on-one time is, and we are striving to make time for each child with a parent; just them.
Derek's Fridays are light on the "work" side of things, so we've designated Friday as "date" day. Derek takes one, then I take another. (We're not including Ezra and Oliver in this date time yet, but we will as they grow. Oliver is my constant shadow and spends more time me just by default, so we're not stressed about him yet.)
It's an hour or two, as long as I can get away from a boob-monster-baby. It's ice cream or treats and whatever else they want to do to fill the time. Two Fridays ago, poor Spencer couldn't decide between ice cream or cupcakes. So we got both.
I want my children to know that they can talk to me about anything at all, ever. If I'm distracted (frequently) with other things, sometimes I don't hear what they are really saying. ESPECIALLY because they are small and often make absolutely zero sense the first time I hear something.
Dates are times for no distractions. Just me (or Derek) and my boy of the week. Tomorrow it's Daddy and Spencer and then Henry and Mommy. I'm excited to see what he comes up with. Maybe the book store! Maybe the ice cream shop, who cares! It's fun. :)
14 comments:
You also don't have to leave home for a 'date'. You can have Spencer time, etc. When the others are otherwise engage. If it ever happens.
Can I take your kids on dates sometimes too? Like a Henry-Alice Date or a Spencer-Alice Date or a Henry-Spencer and Alice Date? I think that could be highly entertaining and way for so much fun. It wouldn't be all the time but every once in a while. Could this happen?
Mom-yes, keeping the others "away," specifically Oliver and Ezra is the current challenge.
Alice- Yes, I think that could happen. :)
It's brilliant! You and Derek are SUCH great parents. I admit, I haven't been dating my kids all that much. I should. I will. Thanks for the reminder.
You go Morgan! I understand completely where you are coming from. The homeschooling, while having so many advantages, does make it hard for one-on-one time. Typically my "date" with one of my kiddos happens when I take one to the store with me. Although that used to be a much more regular occurence when Ty was here. Now that he is in KC it is much harder to fine that kind of time. But when we get it we sure enjoy it! Best of luck to you. And I love reading your blog even if I don't respond too often!
we do that too!!! It is so fun!!!
Lori- You should! It's so fun to hear their little brains work.
Diane- I saw on your blog about Ty's job change! I hope it's a temporary situation for you guys. Thanks for reading!
Anna- It is. We're hooked!
What a wonderful idea! I have heard of a concept called "love-bombing" - this sounds similar.
I still need a Jauna- Morgan date.. i just need to clear my schedule...
MM- Yes, I've heard that term before too! Thanks for stopping by. :)
Jauna- I KNOW!
Super idea Morgan! Family time together is so important...I love learning and working together! I have one at kindergarten, 2 at home, one who naps in the afternoon, and still find it hard to find enough one-on-one time with each of them. Thanks for sharing, you're luved!
I did this with all of the older kids and they loved it. they would save coupons and plan for their "date night". We had so much fun together and I got to know them all really well. I need to start that again with the little girls. They have never been part of that particular tradition.
We used to do this at our house as well, but we've drifted away from it a little bit. We need to take control of the calendar and start again. Thanks for sharing!
Katrina- Yeah that's why we started! It was just too hard to assume we'd make time. We had to plan it. :)
PattyAnn- YES! Do it! They'll absolutely love it.
Marvett- Yup, we always got too busy. Now we just know, Fridays is date day.
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