Today’s Activity:

Get out a board game and play it with your kids.

Note:

Don’t LET them win but just play the game as you normally would.  If they get used to not always winning at home with mommy then they will be less likely to have a melt down when they lose at a game they play with their friends.

Evaluate:

Max wanted to play a memory game tonight so that’s what we did.  The kids were super hyper because it was closing in on bed time.  Although I would have rather had them in bed, it is still nice to see them so happy with me just making a small effort.

Reminder:

Have you been giving your kids choices?  Not me…I keep forgetting so this is my own personal reminder of this months goal.

Teach your children a favorite song of yours from when you were a kid.

Note:

It doesn’t matter if you can’t carry a tune, they will just be happy being reminded that you too were once a little kid that liked silly songs.

Today’s Activity:

Take a child on a date.  This could be anything from dinner and a movie to going shoe shopping.  Just be sure to do something that they will enjoy.

Note:

Be sure to take a child that you didn’t take last time.

Evaluate:

This is always my favorite thing to do.  The kids appreciate it so much and it helps me focus just on them.  Today I was able to sneak in a “date” with both of them.  First I took Max ice skating all by himself.  He was really getting pretty good…well…at least not so scared to let go of the wall and fall now and then.  I’m pretty sure his favorite part was just laying there while I would put on and take off his skates.  Then I took Elese out to dinner.  She talked the entire time.  To tell you the truth I don’t really know what she was talking about most of the time but I loved just being with her.  After we got home the three of us watched the Tinkerbell movie together.

The weather is warming up so take this opportunity to go for a family walk around the block.

Note:

You could even let your children ride their bike or scooter.

Evaluate:

Today I walked Max too and from school.  That’s a little bit of a cop out though because I do that everyday.   The reason I put this on here for today is because the weather is getting warmer and I LOVE going for nice spring walks with my family.  I think taking the time to go for a walk with your loved ones is a great way to strengthen relationships.  It’s like a mini vacation from responsibilities.  Also, going on a walk with your husband can be a great opportunity to get re-acquainted after a busy week.

Take a trip to the library.

Note:

If time will permit then let them stay there for a while enjoying the time away from home.

Evaluate:

This didn’t really work with my schedule today but we are going to make an effort to go this weekend.

Today’s Activity:

Take out some photo albums or even just loose photos and look at them with your kids.

Note:

These could be pictures of your little ones or even photos from your childhood or wedding.

Evaluate:

We looked at photos from this weekend on the computer.  It was a very fun weekend with Max getting his yellow belt and the family going to the Kids Safety Fair.  It was fun to look over the pictures and remember our fun weekend.

Today’s Activity:

Play hot potato with a balloon.

Note:

This should not be a balloon with helium in it.  If you’ve never done this before the idea is to tap the balloon with your finger tips and pass it back and forth.  Don’t let it touch the ground!

Evaluate:

The kids loved this game.  Max even came up with different rules for different levels.  It was a fun activity to do together as a family and there was lots of laughter and of course a few tears.

I just wanted everyone who left comments to know that I really appreciate hearing about what you have been doing with your kids.  Sometimes I feel like I’m just going through the motions so that I will have something to post so reading what you are doing really inspires me to enjoy my children more.  Although the contest is over I would love to continue to hear about the fun things you are doing with your children.  I will announce the winner on tomorrows post.

March Month Goal:

This month I want us to focus on giving our children choices.  The idea is that if you give them lots of choices about things that don’t matter, like “Would you like to go to bed in 2 minutes or 3 minutes?” then when you have to lay down the law and say, “Time for bed now” it is easier for them to deal with.  If they happen to put up a fuss then you simply say, “Didn’t I give you lot’s of choices today?  (You could even mention some of the choices that you gave them)  Well right now it’s my turn make the choice.”  If the three minutes are up and it’s time for bed and they throw a fit you can say, “Oh, honey, but it was your choice to go to bed in 3 minutes and it’s been three minutes.”  Pay close attention as you try doing this because you should notice fewer tantrums because they will feel like they have some control.

Today’s Activity:

Sit nearby and watch your children play.

Note:

Don’t really play with them; just observe them as they use their imagination or social skills.

Today I spent $40 on Max’s Karate belt review instead of spending that $40 on going out to dinner with friends.  He is so excited about it that he even dreamed last night that he got his yellow belt and his dream came true so it was worth it!

Don’t forget to leave a comment about something good you did today so you can be entered in our drawing for a $25 GC.  Go here to learn more about our giveaway.

Today’s Activity:

This may be your last chance to find some snow nearby.  Head up to the mountains if there isn’t any close by and go sledding.

Note:

If you can’t come across enough to go sledding then throw as many snow balls as you can with what you have available.

Evaluate:

We didn’t get to do this today because we had a very full day.  Part of our full day was meeting some friends at McDonalds for lunch and I know my little ones didn’t mind.

RECOGNITION!

Amy has  been taking her kids to the park everyday before school to help them get their wiggles out.  What a great idea!

Today I played go fish with Max.

Don’t forget to leave a comment about something good you did today so you can be entered in our drawing for a $25 GC.  Go here to learn more about our giveaway.

Today’s Activity:

It’s baking day.  Bake something yummy.

Note:

If you are sick of all the Valentine treats then bake something non-sweet.  I just might make a spinach artichoke dip to pare with tonight’s dinner.

Evaulate:

My mom got the perfect brownie pan for Christmas and she had not used it yet.  Max loves that infomercial and has been begging to borrow it.  So today we did.  Elese decided that she suddenly doesn’t like brownies.  We did use a mix and usually I use my MIL’s scratch recipe so that could be it.  Max, on the other hand, couldn’t stop saying “This brownie is perfect!”  I have to admit that they were pretty darn good…but bad for my diet.