Special Time

Just the name indicates a celebration, right? Special. Time.

Siblings are almost always in competition.  I’m starting to see it between my 3yo and my 1yo.  Every time the 1yo does something cute and we all smile and applaud…the 3yo does it too…and then begs for us to think it is equally as cute.  When the 3yo performs some great gymnastic feat that has us all oohing and ahhing…you can bet my 1yo is not far behind trying it out for herself.

It is so very important for us as parents to figure out how to make each child feel special and loved in their own right.  What we see as obvious may not be interpreted as so by the kids.

There isn’t a card for Special Time.  I’m fairly sure that the banks are still open and your mail will still be delivered.  Special Time may not even fall on the same day every year.

Special Time is a very specific time set aside on a regular basis for you to spend time with your kids individually.

When I was growing up I would have Special Time with my mom one month and the next month with my dad.  My irritating younger brother would, of course, be on the opposite schedule.  The rules for Special Time were simple: it lasted for 2 hours, we got to pick whatever we wanted to do (with a parental veto) and it had to be free or close to free.  We did get the occasional movie..and you can bet ice cream was almost always involved…but we would go to the park…or play our favorite board game with undivided attention from our parents.  As an adult sitting here I find myself thinking “How on earth did we find something free to do for 2 hours every time?” Then I remember that my son wanted to play Chutes and Ladders alllll morning earlier this week.

Another rendition of this that I have heard is to celebrate Special Time on the date of the children’s birthday’s each month, rotating parents of course each month….or simply letting the kids pick a special meal on the date of their birthday every month.

Like I said, I’m fairly certain that your local banks will still be open…but for two hours during Special Time the world will stand still for at least one little kid.

Jenn blogs at The Coupon Coup.  You can find her there showing you how to save money while playing the coupon game.  She also blogs about family fun, her journey to lose weight and get fit as a Wii Fit Mommie and the attempts of a very uncrafty individual trying desperately to be crafty.  You will be subjected to pictures and stories of her kids as well as product reviews and the occasional giveaway.