Spending time with each

[skeetaboat]

Don't beat yourself up, it's a common problem. I too would love to spend more quality time with my kids. If only the supply of time & energy was endless! It's hard to find spare time when you're juggling more than 1, especially when one is a baby. I've got a 2.5 yo & 4 month old.

I will go and play outside with my toddler while the baby naps. Even if we only get between 20-30 mins, he loves it & it energises us both. We also put our DS to bed every night until he falls asleep. If it's been a hectic day, at least we're connecting at the end of it. If I've got heaps to do, I get DS involved, eg get him to pass me the clothes to put in the washing machine or come out with me to the line, talk to me while doing dishes etc. We also have at least 1 night a week where all computers phones, tv etc is off and we just spend time together, listening to music, playing in DS's room, outside if it's warm, etc. When the kids are older we might do one night of this for each of them. There's another thread somewhere with some great ideas for spending 1on1 time with kids. If I haven't had enough time with toddler, I give bubs to DH & we go play something together.

I try to section out my week. Certain days are for work, certain days for cleaning, certain days for putting everything aside & concetrating solely on the kids. That works well for us. ETA: but even on the work/housework days, I try to stop and take chunks of time to do something one on one with toddler every couple of hours.

Daycare is great if you can afford it - gives you a chance to do some housework & also grab some you time, so you can concentrate on your kids when they come back home.

And sometimes it's ok to fall a bit behind on the housework to spend time together. These years go by so quick. When you look back you want the memories of playing together, not of a spotless house. Kids don't care about a bit of mess or overdue washing.

What is your day like? What would you like to spend more time doing? What could you do to make time? What activities do you like doing with them most?