It can be hard to make time for family in the busy and fastpaced world we live in today, and our Canadian Family editors can definitely relate. Here they share tips and stories for making the most of 20 minutes, however brief those minutes may be.
Contributing editor Yuki Hayashi says this of spending time with her daughter Esmé, 4:
“I like to do stuff around the house with my four and a half year old. I’m far from Martha, but my daughter just happens to like decorating. So for 20 minutes we might do something like flower arranging. I cut stems for her, and put them in one big pitcher or vase, then she takes them and arranges them as she wishes in whatever vessels she likes, freeform or using a frog (those spiky things that hold stems upright in Ikebana-type arrangements).
She also likes (I’m not making this up) wiping stuff down (tables, chairs, windows). I hate cleaning, so doing it together cracks me up and makes it bearable. And there’s no way I’d clean for more than 20 minutes a session.
Other times, when we’re just vegging out, we’ll just lie on her bedroom floor doing nothing, looking at her flowery twinkle lights, eating chips like a couple or teenagers, which sounds terrible but kids have so much structured time at school and sports class that hanging out doing nothing is sometimes the best quality time of all (and yes, I will have fed her her organic steak, carrots and broccoli prior to the potato chips!!!).”
Senior editor Brandie Weikle talks of heartwarming moments spent in the kitchen with her son Cameron, 3:
“Cameron and I have a great time baking together ““ and he looks SO cute in his apron! I’ve discovered, though, that it’s easier if we stick to a simple mix that can be stirred and poured into mini-muffin tins in matter of minutes. Or when it’s something more complex, I need to measure the ingredients out first. Otherwise, if I turn my head, three cups of flour can easily become four!”
Editor-in-chief Jennifer Reynolds makes time with her son James, 2-1/2, a learning experience:
“We walk everywhere, rain or shine. Sometimes James gets a little bored and asks to be picked up. He’s now 35 lbs so I’ve figured out that my best back-saving strategy is to create a diversion. While we’re walking I’ll ask him if he can find a doggy, a flower, a bicycle, a baby…I even throw in silly things like a rhinoceros just to see if he’s paying attention. He loves this game and I’m happy that he is not just walking with me but actually processing what’s in his environment. This game works wonders during the 20-minute wait for food at a restaurant.”
Canadian Family wants to know! Tell us how you make the most of every moment with your kids and we’ll add it to our list. Send your tip now!
