Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Giving Kids Individual Attention

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Being a mom of seven makes giving each child individual attention a challenge.

That's why I was thrilled when my 14 year old daughter suggested that every month a different child would have a special night with Mommy all to themselves. The child chooses (within reason) an activity or two they would enjoy and then a restaurant (kid's choice) where we can eat together and actually have a real live conversation. Without any interruptions! Or siblings competing for my attention.

My husband is happy to stay at home with all the other kids so the designated child can have some special one on one time with me.

Last month, MaddieLynn chose a trip to the candy store, then the pet store, and a delicious Italian dinner.

This month, it was my 12 year old son's turn. He settled on going to the movie theater to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.



Here we are getting ready to leave for our fun evening.



While we waited for the show to start, he challenged me to a round of shoot 'em up safari. 




We shared some popcorn and after the show we had a hankerin' for some burgers. Since there weren't any falling from the sky, we headed for Wendy's and had them with some chocolate Frosties.

We had a wonderful time together, and I'm already looking forward to giving individual attention to my 9 year old, who is next in line.

I believe she is looking forward to it, too.  She has had the whole thing all planned out for several weeks.

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12 comments:

Allyson Kellner said...

I love this idea! I really love that you haven't overshot yourself and are doing it one kid a month instead of one kid every week. I think I would be so overwhelmed if I tried something less frequent than once a month--because life happens and things come up and get postponed. . .

Erin @ Closing Time said...

This is a great idea! I've considered doing something similar with my girls. Maybe I should give it a try!

Celee said...

Sounds like a good idea. We don't plan for this so there are certain kids that just don't get as much one on one time. I want to try a version of this. It may just be getting a drink at Starbucks for now, but just to make it official will make it more likely that all kids get a turn.

Kimarie @ Cardamom's Pod said...

I like the once-a-month idea - where it's just to go out and spend time, instead of taking them along on other errands (which still happens). This idea would be VERY popular. Thanks!

Hoosier Homemade said...

Great idea! I did this over the summer with my boys, but haven't lately.
~Liz

Linz said...

That is such a great tradition you are starting. I like how the older children get to spend some individual time with Mr. Smockity on golf trips too. Miss your family!

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

What a great idea! :D I'm sure your kids are loving the individual attention. :D

karen b said...

i think this issue is one of the main concerns of parents when deciding how many children to have -- at least for us, it was a major factor in deciding to only have 2 kiddos

as always, enjoyed reading your perspective!

Valencia Jones-Edwards said...

This was so needed in my home!! We have several little ones and the fighting for attention is gruesome...thanks fo rthis!

Rachel said...

What a great idea! I bet your kids love and look forward to their night out with Mommy! I should do this with my kids when they are a bit older

suburbangranola said...

We do this with Daddy too. He takes them out on "dates". I will often just take one to run errands, it doesn't take any extra money but they do get that one on one time and they are very chatty and excited even when we are just running to the store.

rachel said...

I love this and my children would just eat it up. Now if I just had a husband to stay with the ones at home...

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