When I was a young parent with young kids, someone told me something that really helped me connect with my kids. Want to know what they told me?
Take them with you.
What? It’s such a hassle. It’s takes twice as long. They are going to poop in the store. They get into everything. They are going to throw a fit.
And all that is possible. In fact, all of that is possible in one trip. But do it anyway.
I’m not talking about little babies. Men, we do that one to help our wives do it because there is no other option. I’m talking about when the kid is 18 months or 2 ½ years or five years or seven years old. Going somewhere with Mom or Dad is a treat.
Take one child at a time and make it a special time. Decide it is going to take longer and that is ok with you. Maybe combine it with a trip to the yogurt store or get them a special treat at Home Depot or the grocery store.
It says so much to your kids. They are not a nuisance. You want them to be a part of your life. You value their opinion. You want them to be with you. They are fun people.
From sitting with me on the riding lawn mower to going to Home Depot to Academy to the grocery store, I made a habit of taking a kid with me as a regular habit. With seven kids, there was always one to pick from.
A little inconvenience to me paid off big time in my relationships with my kids.
