Mommy and Me: Playdate for Two

To be clear, I am not a "strict schedule" type of mom. Quite the contrary, since I work from home for part of the week, and out of the home the rest, my schedule seems to morph and fill every available space.

But with that said, I make it a point to schedule time with my kids. At first it seemed a little silly, I mean I am with them a majority of the week. The truth is though, being physically present is just not enough. I had to start scheduling play dates.

The younger ones look forward to our private Mom and Me class. The benefits of simply getting on the floor and playing are numerous. While I know playtime should not be pushed to only once a week, I consider this sacred time more of a bonus, and a great foundation builder for our growing relationships.

Mom and Me Play Date

Set a time. Monday afternoon from two to three is my daughters special hour. She knows mom will not schedule anything at that time. It doesn't have to be a full hour, this just happens to work for us.

Dedicate a place. Not only should you conduct your play date away from the hustle and bustle of the family, you should keep a bin to collect the toys or art supplies that you will be using. Knowing that mom will take the time to paint or play Candyland on Mondays is comforting to my little girl.

Allow your child to lead. During the play date, give your child your undivided attention. More importantly, let them lead while you are an active follower. Put your cell phone, lap top and other devices away, far away. Respect the time you have together.

My older kids may be way past the play date stage, but that doesn't stop me from making sure we have one on one time each week. That often simply means running an errand together, but as long as it is just the two of us, that errand run can lead to important conversations. A car is a wonderful tool for creating a captive audience!


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