Last week, I wrote about how important it is for parents to have regular date nights away from their children so that they can develop a deep relationship with each other. Today, I am focusing on a parent having a “date” or “date night” with a child. Why would such an event be important? The answer is simple – because it is a special time specifically set aside just for the parent and child to bond.
Each child is unique. In order to learn what is truly distinctive about your child and the gifts God has given him/her, you need to spend time with each of them apart from your busy day. As you do, you talk, ask questions, listen without being judgmental, laugh, hold hands and do whatever else makes you both have fun and enjoy each other’s company. There should be no cell phones, lap tops, or other demands on a parent’s time and attention, as your full concentration should be on spending quality time with your child. And, you can stay home or go out for an activity; you can go to a free event or an expensive one, such as dining at a fancy restaurant. You can do them once a month or more frequently. The choice is yours.
In her blog, homeschool mom Heather Brown gives very good advice about parent-child dates and makes some creative recommendations about what to do with your child on these “dates”. To read more, visit this link.