The 9 Minutes That Have The Greatest Impact on a Child

"I am often struck by how life with children changes so quickly. We used to be joined by the hip, the shoulder, and every other body part. I remember wondering if I'd ever shower alone. But now, all of my children can get up, get dressed, leave the house, come back into the house, and go to bed without a touch from their mother. They don't need me to get them out of a crib (dare I say I miss this?). We're done with diapers (can I get a hallelujah?). They don?t need me to dress them. I can barely carry any of them. We'd probably break a rocking chair. Sniff. How did this happen? I am comforted by the fact that secretly, I'm still useful. These are the nine minutes during the day that can have the most impact on a child." The following article shares which nine minutes each day can deeply impact our relationships with our kids, special moments that can help our children feel loved. [read more]

Title: Slow Family Living: 75 Simple Ways to Slow Down, Connect, and Create More Joy
By: Bernadette Noll Stage: Any
"Have you ever wished you could slow down the daily grind -- and even find a way to enjoy it? All too often, the hectic pace of modern life turns our households into a blur, leaving many parents -- and kids --feeling depleted and disconnected. Enter Slow Family Living, an inspiring guide for parents who want to rediscover the meaning, comfort, and contentment found in the day to day of family life. Offering 75 simple ideas for reconnecting, this upbeat and invaluable resource can help turn even the most bustling of times into an opportunity to create a moment of calm -- and a connection that will last a lifetime." -- Publishers

Have you noticed which times of the day your interactions with your children seem to have the most impact? Think of ways you can make those interactions positive.