American parents and parents around the world are busy! They spend hours in the car shuttling their kids to school and activities, they serve on the PTA, they participate in sports and other activities, they have demanding careers, and they try to maintain a social life and play dates with other children when possible.
With all of these activities, why are our children unhappy? Parents magazine says, "Playing with a loved adult is the most important way a young child learns new ideas, practices language, and develops social skills.
" Children are happy when we play with them.
When things get too busy, children often feel the same stress parents do.
How do we find time to play with our children and to teach them stability and love? Here are 5 ideas that may help you and your children find more joy in your every day life: 1.
Spend 20 minutes each day playing with your kids.
Don't worry about the extravagant places you take them, they just want your time.
Try staying home once and a while.
You can play fun games, make a snack together, or simply talk.
The most memorable times we have with our children is when we take time to be involved in what they are interested in.
2.
Take one thing off of your task list each day, and put your child on in its place.
When we have too much to do, our children suffer because we don't make them a priority.
Taking one thing off of your list of things to do will give you more freedom to take the time to spend quality time with your children.
3.
Turn off the TV and listen to music We know that classical music increases brain stimulation in children and actually makes them smarter.
You may find that classical music will calm your hyper-active child and make him or her more receptive to calm behavior.
It may even help make you calmer in stressful situations, like when driving in carpool! 4.
Take time to pretend with your child Pretend play is proven to encourage development in children and helps them to be imaginative.
What boy doesn't like to be transformed into a superhero like a fireman or defend freedom like a soldier? What girl doesn't love to wear Cinderella dresses or a Snow White costume to spread cheer wherever she goes.
There are even adult costumes so you can share in the fun.
Any princess dress will provide hours of fun dress up play.
Little Adventures brand princess costumes are great to use with your kids because they are machine washable and made from high quality fabrics that don't fall apart.
5.
Be a Positive Influence Negativity is harmful for us as adult, but it is also harmful for children.
Build them up, show them you love them.
Spoil them with your love and support.
Try these steps.
Make time with your kids.
It's easy to buy some dress up clothes and try them out.
When they play dress up, they will automatically become imaginative!
With all of these activities, why are our children unhappy? Parents magazine says, "Playing with a loved adult is the most important way a young child learns new ideas, practices language, and develops social skills.
" Children are happy when we play with them.
When things get too busy, children often feel the same stress parents do.
How do we find time to play with our children and to teach them stability and love? Here are 5 ideas that may help you and your children find more joy in your every day life: 1.
Spend 20 minutes each day playing with your kids.
Don't worry about the extravagant places you take them, they just want your time.
Try staying home once and a while.
You can play fun games, make a snack together, or simply talk.
The most memorable times we have with our children is when we take time to be involved in what they are interested in.
2.
Take one thing off of your task list each day, and put your child on in its place.
When we have too much to do, our children suffer because we don't make them a priority.
Taking one thing off of your list of things to do will give you more freedom to take the time to spend quality time with your children.
3.
Turn off the TV and listen to music We know that classical music increases brain stimulation in children and actually makes them smarter.
You may find that classical music will calm your hyper-active child and make him or her more receptive to calm behavior.
It may even help make you calmer in stressful situations, like when driving in carpool! 4.
Take time to pretend with your child Pretend play is proven to encourage development in children and helps them to be imaginative.
What boy doesn't like to be transformed into a superhero like a fireman or defend freedom like a soldier? What girl doesn't love to wear Cinderella dresses or a Snow White costume to spread cheer wherever she goes.
There are even adult costumes so you can share in the fun.
Any princess dress will provide hours of fun dress up play.
Little Adventures brand princess costumes are great to use with your kids because they are machine washable and made from high quality fabrics that don't fall apart.
5.
Be a Positive Influence Negativity is harmful for us as adult, but it is also harmful for children.
Build them up, show them you love them.
Spoil them with your love and support.
Try these steps.
Make time with your kids.
It's easy to buy some dress up clothes and try them out.
When they play dress up, they will automatically become imaginative!
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