Do you want to be a fun parent?
Something happens when we become adults. We forget how to be playful. You want to have more fun with your kids.
But play doesn’t come easy for us the older we grow.
There is so much on our minds. Things we need to get done.
It can become hard to be a playful and fun parent. We have the best of intentions really, but there just are not enough hours in the day to have fun with your kids. Or are there?
You can become a more playful parent, it will just take a little bit more effort.
It’s hard to set aside time to be “fun” with everything we have on our plates as moms.
If you are like me, you have sat down with the best of intentions. You are going to play and have fun with your kids.
But then your mind starts running. I need to go do the dishwasher. Did I put the clothes away? That deadline for work is pushing awfully close.
Then before we know it, the time is gone, we weren’t fully present and our children didn’t really get much of our attention.
You desperately want to be a playful and fun parent but you aren’t sure how to get there.
Related: How to be a more intentional parent.
How can adding more fun to your day be beneficial to you?
When you add more fun to your day as a parent you will reap the benefits. Your children have a way of putting you in a better mood and they help you forget your worries and stresses.
Playing and having fun with your kids can be uplifting for both you and them.
How can adding more fun to your day be beneficial to your child?
Your child craves attention. Especially attention from you.
Taking the time to add more play to your day will be beneficial to your child as well.
It can uplift their moods, help them learn how to play with other people, and give them something to look forward to every day. Playing and having fun with your kids is also a great way to unwind from a stressful day for your children.
9 Easy Ways To Have More Fun With Your Kids Today
Set aside a “date day.”
No you can’t have a “date day” every day. But you can set aside a day every month for one parent to go out with each children alone.
This will give your child some extra one on one time that they crave, especially if they have siblings. As well as something to look forward to every month.
Your date day does not have to be fancy.
It could be an hour at the library or park together by yourself. Or it could be to get ice cream or lunch.
Your date day can look different every month. Ask your child what they would love to do and plan accordingly.
Set that time down on the calendar. Be specific. Such as the third Saturday of every month.
Pencil in 20-30 minutes of “fun.”
Every day pencil in about 20-30 minutes of “fun” time with your child.
You can do this mentally or on the calendar. Be intentional with your time. If you can spend 30 minutes scrolling through Facebook, you can spend 30 minutes playing with your child.
You can do something that you want to do, such as a favorite childhood game. Or something that your child wants to do.
Every evening after dinner our children love to play “wrestle” with their dad. This doesn’t last long, maybe 20 minutes, but they love it and it’s something they look forward to every day.
Put away your electronics.
Our electronics tend to consume us.
It’s easy for us to waste time on our phones or I-Pads, then say that we don’t have time to play with our children.
The truth is, we do have time. Our priorities just need to make a shift.
When you set aside your time with your kids every day, make an effort to put away your phone and other electronics. This will allow yourself to focus on your child.
Be more present.
This goes along with putting way your electronics.
Learn to be present with your child.
This goes beyond being distracted by something physical. This also means learning to put aside things that distract us in our minds.
It’s easy to sit down and attempt to play with your child, but then start thinking about everything that needs to get done. Or the hard day you had at work, the deadlines that need to get done, etc.
It will take work and practice.
But learn to set aside those distractions and be fully present with your child daily.
Consider your child’s favorite things to do.
What are some of your child’s favorite things to do?
Does your child love to go to the library and read books with you? Or do they love to go to the park and swing on the swings?
Whatever your child loves to do, consider what their favorite things are. Then do those favorite things with your child.
For example, my youngest daughter loves to play the game matching. She asks to play it every single day. It would be easy for me to think about all I need to do and say not right now.
But instead, I try to set aside ten minutes a day just to play this simple game with her. It makes her day and gives us some quality time with each other. If I can spend 10 minutes mindlessly scrolling Instagram, then I can spend 10 minutes playing a game with my daughter.
Get Outside With Your Child.
Outside brings so many benefits to us.
The fresh air can uplift our moods and our health.
Having a space to run or walk is also beneficial. Get outside with your child and learn a new game. Play baseball, go for a walk, or ride bikes.
Whatever it is that you do, get outside with your child. This will uplift both of your moods, health and give you quality time together in the fresh outdoors.
Introduce your child to your childhood favorites.
Do you have a favorite game or toy you used to play with as a child?
Introduce your child to your own childhood favorites.
This will allow you to enjoy something fun with your child, give your child new experiences, and you a sense of nostalgia.
Add Music to Your Day
Music can be beneficial and help turn your day around.
If you want to add some fun to your every day with your child turn on the music.
Have you ever had a dance party with your child?
A dance party can be a great way to add fun to your everyday and get moving.
Focus more on play and less on work.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on work and everything that needs to get done. We can even be this way with our children, focusing on their school work, chores and all they need to do and less on having fun.
But if you focus more on play and less on work, you may find your child in a better mood, and more willing to do what they have to do daily so they can do what they want to do! Which is play with mommy and daddy.
Related: 14 Best Tips To Overcome Angry Mommy Today
If you are new to the Peaceful Nest Blog, welcome!
Be sure to read my top posts on parenting:
- Why Consistent Parenting Matters
- 12 Habits of Immensely Peaceful Moms
- 63 Mom Hacks That Are Pure Genius
- Connect With Your Child and Build Up Their Heart
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Hi there, I’m Jenna! I am a devoted mommy and wife. As well as an advocate for children and creating a peaceful atmosphere for those we love. I co-wrote Faith Actually: Living Life After Tragedy with my husband. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies and currently working toward my Master’s in Positive Psychology. My number one desire is to create a peaceful home life for my family. My second desire is to share with you the tips I learn along the way!