Best Valentine’s Day Gift Parent Child Dates

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This Valentine’s Day, I’m giving one-on-one time to my kids. I’m giving them time and attention.

Last week, I took both my kids clothes shopping at different times. It reminded me how special that 1:1 time is. It deposits into their emotional bank accounts. (And mine, too.)

The Leader in Me  by Stephen R. Covey Chapter Five talks about the importance of emphasizing a family “we” culture. It suggests thinking about our family culture in terms of:

Behaviors
Language
Artifacts
Traditions (rituals)
Folklore

I realized last week that I want to be more thoughtful about our traditions. I want meaningful “Mommy and Me” and “Daddy and Me” time to be part of our family tradition.

Do you do this already?

If not, join me!

Give your kids some ideas from the list below. Then, let them choose. (Ownership!)

Parent-Child Date Ideas

Unconditional LoveGo Somewhere FREE
park
library
nature
walk or hike
bike ride

Go Somewhere FUN
movie
sporting event
book store
nail salon
miniature golf

Go Somewhere with FOOD
breakfast
ice cream shop
coffee shop
picnic

Go Somewhere with LEARNING
museum
help at your work
take a class together
theater

Stay-at-Home FUN
make a craft
work on a project
play anything the child wants
bake cookies
watch a movie

Daddy-Daughter Dates, Mommy and Me Time
(click image to open and print)

Covey writes that the foundation of a beautiful family culture is unconditional (proactive) love. In other words,

– acceptance rather than rejection

– understanding rather than judgment

– participation rather than manipulation

I didn’t grow up with this kind of love. So for me, it’s the most important thing I can give my children –the gift of unconditional acceptance, understanding, and being present.

What is the most important thing you want to give your children? Comment here.

Photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography / FotoRita [Allstar maniac] / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

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3 Comments

  1. I’m always trying to be a better parent. I really want to dedicate more one on one time to each of my children and more time to my husband and family as a whole. I really love spending time with my children and I’m always looking for more ways I can do it.

  2. A more connected relationship with me. One where we are not adversaries, but working together towards a more meaningful and loving relationship.