It's that time of year! September is in full swing, kids are back to school, schedules are a thing again ... complete with early wakeup calls, pick ups, drop offs, extracurriculars and night time routines.
If you are a parent or caregiver, you know that life with children is far from predictable. We send our kids to school with the hope that things will go smoothly, ask them how their day was, and do our best to help them navigate the ups and downs of being a kid (or teen). If you're anything like me, you may feel like you have a thousand questions to ask them at the end of the school day. Sometimes getting a response from a question as simple as 'how was your day?' no matter how old your child is, can feel a lot like pulling teeth. If you've ever been met with a 'I can't remember' or 'I don't know' then you know what I'm talking about!
So, how do we build a connection with our kids and how can we create a smoother post-school transition? Here are three simple ways to connect with your kids at the end of the school day.
Take some time to chill. Chances are, your kids haven't had time to come down after a full day of listening, following rules, and generally just having to keep it all together. So, instead of asking them how their day was right away - keep it light!
Enjoy an after school snack together. What brings people together more than food? After a long day of learning and playing, a nice healthy post-school snack can be just what they (and you) need.
Just be there! It doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes just being there is enough. Take some time to clear yourself of distractions and be ready to listen.
Sometimes connecting with our kids can mean just being in the moment together - listening to a favorite song on the ride home, or, acknowledging the scent of the freshly fallen leaves walking up to the door.
What are some of the ways you connect with your kids after school? We would love to hear!