How to Better Connect with Our Spouses and Kids
How to Better Connect with Our Spouse & Kids
In our busy world, it’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day hustle. Especially if we don’t consistently practice mindfulness. It’s mornings where we’re rushing past each other, yelling 5x to get shoes on, not even noticing your significant other already left for work. It’s grabbing dinner to go when heading to extra curriculars, missing dinners together and landing in bed with a crash with hardly enough energy to even say hi to your spouse.
Another day passed and you didn’t connect with your kids or your person… again.
I know quarantine really opened our eyes to reconnecting, but as we move back out into the world, let’s not forget how we did that connecting.
Here are 7 ways to do it.
Unplug.
We all know we need to do it. Pick a day, an hour, a device bedtime… whatever makes sense for your family and do it.
Stop to smell the roses.
Photography has really taught me to be able to stop and really SEE my people. I see and watch how they play, I watch my husband in his hobbies or interacting with the kids. I really stop and look at them and I fall in love. Try it.
Practice Gratitude.
Seems silly. Like how could this work? It’s amazing what it does. Every day, write thing things you’re grateful for, and make sure they’re microgratitudes. Maybe you’re thankful for the short line at the coffee shop, or the sun coming in the window this morning, the first sighting of changing leaves. Practicing this daily trains your brain to be doing it all of the time. And gratitude brings warm and fuzzy feelings. Who doesn’t want that?!
Daily Check Ins.
Instead of asking, “How was your day?” Try something more specific. We always ask, “What was your high and what was your low?” It brings out a lot of conversation and insight into how our days truly were. We celebrate together and support one another on things we otherwise wouldn’t have known about.
Family Dinners
It might not be feasible all of the time, but they do something special. Our kids LOVE them and so do I. Make the intention to spend time together over a meal. It brings so much connection.
Plan Together.
Let your kids plan the week with you. You may be surprised at their input. They also will feel more involved. There will also be more accountability from everyone. As mothers, we hold the weight of the world, pass the weight around a bit. And then you get to do the week as a team, too. See? More connection.
Dates.
It’s hard, I know. To get out. But I always say, “Don’t overcomplicate it.” Date each other. Yes, you and your spouse, but spend individual time with the kids, too. My daughter’s favorite thing is simply scheduling a night that just she and I are alone. We do nails, watch movies, make popcorn and just hang out. She craves it. So do I. Make it simple, make it fun. And this is a good time to be unplugged ;)
I hope this gave you some ah-ha moments and is a step for you to become better connected. What I love most about my signature course, The Layered Growth Academy, is that this is everything I teach my mentees and get to help them work through very specifically to their own needs. I also break down all of this in my book, Motherhood Stripped, set to hit shelves on October 31st. Learn more about the book here.
If you are feeling the tug to integrate all of the tools and create huge change in your life, LGA is opening enrollment on October 1st for those on the waitlist with the course starting on November 1st. If you want first access to apply, be sure to get on the waitlist.