The Importance of Quality Time Together
By VeryBestBaby.com
Apr 30, 2006, 01:03
As a new parent, you probably want to savor every moment with your child. Just remember it’s often the simple pleasures that later will stand out in your mind as the most precious. Resist the temptation to pack in too many activities. Sit back; relax a bit. Realizing that you can’t cram something into every minute is the first step to making sure that time with your baby will be well spent. It doesn’t matter what you and your baby do; it just matters that you are together. Here are some ways to connect with baby and create lasting memories:
• Involve your baby in your daily routine. Whether cooking or folding laundry, put your baby in an infant seat, backpack, or sling. If you have errands to run in the neighborhood, walk there with the stroller. Take your time–explain what you see along the way, pick up leaves, and literally smell the flowers.
• Tell your child something about your day. It doesn’t matter if the baby is too young to really understand. Soon he will catch on to words. And, in the beginning, he will react to the tone of your voice and your facial expressions. Also you’re starting a good habit of communicating with your child.
• Forget household chores for a while. The dusting will wait. Try not to get so bogged down in doing dishes and picking up that you forget your most important job: being there for your baby.
• Postpone dinner. If you and your child are having fun romping in the backyard, don’t cut the activity short just to eat dinner "on time." Push a few more times on the swing, throw another snowball, slow down, and embrace the moment.
• Tune out distractions. It’s okay to screen telephone calls and put off other interruptions to be with your baby. Focus on the baby’s needs–usually the other demands can wait.
• Include your spouse. The fun of being with your baby is magnified when it is shared by both parents. Introduce your baby to your favorite song and enjoy a family dance together. Or, snuggle on the couch for bedtime stories and trade off reading pages with your spouse. You will see a special twinkle in your child’s eyes when he has both parents’ attention during a shared experience.
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