Being a Dad

Some New Ideas

I'm going to take a break from the previously listed set of topics to talk about a few things we've started doing recently as a family and how they are helping us out. So it's real hands on stuff this week.

Here's the list of things we've started doing recently:
1.Solo Time
2.More parental planning
3.Friend fun
4.Family film night

Solo Time
This is where each child gets to spend time on their own with either Mummy or Daddy or both. In the case of it being both parents the other child has some solo time with the grandparents.

So, recently my wife and daughter had a fun morning shopping and getting coffee (if you haven't discovered babycinno's head to Costa this week) while me and my son went to the marina and the train museum.

The key to making this work is realising that it is not about the activity or where you might visit it's about enjoying the time you have. For us it works nicely to have just a couple of hours like this before we come back together for lunch and then do something fun in the afternoon. Or together in the morning and solo time in the afternoon. Though I'm sure as the children get older we will make solo time a longer activity.

More Parental Planning
This sounds obvious but we had noticed this slip. We've had weeks where the weekend rolls around and we have no idea what to do. This is no fun for he children and a nightmare for us. So, making time to think about what to do – even if it's just before bed on Friday night means that Saturday is a smoother experience.

I know there are weekends when jobs have to be done, shopping has to be got and the house and/or garden need to be tidied. When we have those weekends we try to plan in some time where we all have fun together – planning in some ways of making it fun for the children. One example of this is a trip to the coffee shop when out and about or finding ways that the children can help with the task. I've noticed how much children love to help out with household jobs. We should encourage this – it will set them up for later life.

Friend Fun
My daughter is just reaching the age where she likes to have friends over – just her friends without their parents. We've built up some good relationships with her friends parents and are happy for her friends to come over and we are happy for her to go to her friends houses. This extra bit of independence shows we trust her and gives a little bit of freedom in which to grow.

Family Film Night
This is my personal favourite and the kids love it and talk about it all week.

Every Friday night we eat pizza in front of the TV and watch a film together. There are so many great kids films out and it's a fantastic way to relax together at the end of the week. Give it a try – you're sure to love it.

So, what have you tried that's new? Let us know what works well in your family.