How to Be Present With Your Kids
Have you ever found yourself sharing the same space as your kids all day every day but finding that you really aren’t present with them? I have found this to be true too many times to count, so I decided to take the time to share with you a few tips I’ve learned on how to be present with your kids.
Be Present: An Admission of Absence
The first step in being present is admitting your absence.
This past spring was a busy season in my life, and though I was home with my kids, it was rare that I was actually “with” my kids. In May I wrote the following…
Be Present: Change Your Behavior
Seeing that my children needed more of my attention, I needed to make a change in my behavior before I could expect a change in their behavior. If I was unwilling to change my own behavior, I could hardly expect their behavior to improve.
I needed to set a new “schedule” for myself, being intentional about having time set aside to spend with my kids. The change of seasons was the perfect time for me to be able to easily transition from a season of busyness to a season of intentional togetherness.
As summer approached, I worked to streamline my work to spend less time in my office and more time outside with my kids. I created a summer bucket list of activities and outings in order to be intentional about spending time together.
Be Present: Learn from Your Mistakes
I wish I could say that life miraculously got better overnight – that the disobedience issue was solved and we lived happily ever after… but we all know that doesn’t happen in real life.
In reality, we had our high moments, but we also had plenty of lows.
I relapsed into my lazy mode and tried to let my kids parent themselves. Behavior issues {mine and theirs} reared their ugly heads, and we had to start the process over again. I had to admit my absence and change my behavior and learn from my mistakes.
Be Present: It’s a Constant Decision
I think it’s a continual process really – I’m not sure we will ever fully get there, but I’m not sure we’re supposed to.
Be present is a constant decision. I can choose to be present in this moment, but forget and lapse into self-focused mode the next. If I’m going to be present in my kids’ lives, I must be continually choosing to be intentional about being fully with them.
Be Present: Advice from Other Moms
I asked a few of my friends to share their advice about being present with their kids…
Stef Layton: “Jump into their world. Put down the things that steal our time and fun! See your kids and their interest from their level and love it too.”
Colleen Kessler: “Unplug, get on their level, keep eye contact, be silly, and enjoy them.”
Jezamama: “Don’t be so busy being mom that you forget to play, laugh, dance, jump, hike, cuddle, and chill.”
Erin @ Home with the Boys: “When your kiddos ask you to do something with them, say yes more than you say no!”
Jacque Watkins: “Get at their level, ask what they think, and smother them with kisses and hugs until they cry “uncle”! They call me the crazy-kissing mommy!”
Aurie Good: “When your kids ask you to dance, dance. No matter if you are in a playground, the supermarket, the back yard or the living room. It’s totally worth it!”
In what ways have you been present with your kids this week?
See where I’m linked up…
Welcome to 
