Fitting in parent-child time into work week
BY ALTHEA PETERSON World Staff Writer
Monday, October 29, 2012
10/29/12 at 6:44 AM
Because I Said So is a blog written by six parents and one grandparent. They explore the ins and outs of parenting every day.
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When you're working, you have to make the most of the few hours you have with your child, especially during the week.
I'm only seven months into this parenting thing, but here's how I try to make it happen.
Meal time Right now, she's still nursing after waking up or before going to sleep, so I get time to sit down and watch TV, and she gets time with Mommy.
If she still hasn't had her fruit and veggies, I open the window blinds, put her in her chair facing the window and see how much of each spoonful ends up in her mouth - while she sees how she can prevent me from getting the spoon in her mouth. It's like a game. And because you can't make a horse drink after you lead it to water, she always wins.
Neighborhood walk Nothing like some fresh air and exercise. Some day, she will be old enough and strong enough to walk herself (and walk the dogs, too), but until then, it's stroller time with the baby and the dogs. She loves that she can see new things, and the dogs are usually a lot more careful when they're next to the stroller than if I'm weakly trying to control them by myself. Sometimes, she even goes to sleep after a few blocks.
Getting dressed The weather was down in the 50s this morning, so I make sure she has a hat, socks, long sleeves, you name it - and forget my own jacket.
Some day, she may argue about what she gets to wear each day. Until then, she still loves her diaper-changing table.
Play time So long as she is fed and not tired, my daughter will eagerly roll around on the floor, stare in a mirror I've set up near her, take toys that I set near her and smile back at me when I call over to her. These are also the best photo opportunities, so I make sure to have my cellphone nearby. The grandparents and my husband will want to share these happy girl moments, too.
Bath time. Initially, she hated bath time. Then, she realized that Mommy and Daddy were bathing her every day, so then she grew to love it.
Now that she is older, singing, toys and splashing are all part of the fun. The cleaning up afterward? That's still a parent-only task for now. But when she's older ...
Singing and talking Since she was little, I played the "Hokey Pokey" with her by moving her feet and arms. Now, no matter how upset or tired she is, the moment I start singing, she stops and, suddenly, all is right with the world.
All parent-child time is quality time. Yeah, I'm working, and most of the time we spend under the same roof is when we're asleep. But the smile she gives me when she first sees me in the morning is reassuring: I'm her mommy, and she knows it.
How do you spend your few moments with your child(ren)?
For more ways Peterson makes parent-child time, see her blog at tulsaworld.com/becauseisaidso
Althea Peterson 918-581-8361
althea.peterson@tulsaworld.com
