by Sarah W of HRM Parent
My husband and I watched a movie over the weekend that really hit a nerve. In a nutshell, the parents in the movie had lost a child and during their grieving process, started recounting the things they should have done for or with their child. To have only had that time back – even just 5 more minutes.
I got in bed that night and of course started thinking. Thinking about how often I say things like “not right now”, “in a minute”, “maybe next time” to the kids; thinking about how often the TV replaces potential catch-up time, or how much time we waste doing things that don’t really matter as much as spending time with our children. Thinking about how short 5 minutes is…but how much you can still do with your child in that length of time.
Of course, that sparked a whole new thought process and I started making a mental list of some simple yet sublime things you can do with your kids in only 5 minutes. It’s a list that’s still growing in my head but was getting long enough that I needed to start writing it down. So here it is… just 5 minutes…. 1/12th of an hour….a mere 300 seconds…what are you waiting for?
Start a Saturday morning family cuddle in your bed
Give in and say yes to a “please just one more…” request
Read an extra book at night
Turn the music up loud and just sing
Teach your child to play tic-tac-toe
Recount a funny story from when you were a child
Play a round of charades
Throw ALL the toys in the bath for an extra long soak
Learn to say “I love you” in 2 other languages
Head outside for quick game of catch
Play hide-and-seek
Take some extra time and braid your daughter’s hair
Chill in the car for a few minutes together before going in to start the evening rush
Teach your son how to (pretend) shave
Show them pictures of when you were a child
Grab a flashlight and make some shadow puppets
Paint all 10 fingernails a different colour
Let them brush your teeth for a change
Infant massage – such great bonding time
Make a paper airplane together
Teach your child a knock-knock joke
At supper each night, have everyone say what the “best part of their day” was
Make a family sized ice cream sundae with spoons for all
Make a stop by the photo-booth at the mall
Sit up close in front of a mirror with your baby
Have a staring contest
Hug….for 5 whole minutes….just hug!!!
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hrmparent/CLkz/~3/mUW44uWonIg/