Comments on: 1-on-1 time when you’ve got a brood

By: Audrey

Audrey — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:45:10 +0000

I believe allowing for one on one time takes a partner relationship that makes this feasible. The other parent must be willing and able to take over 2 or 3 kids, while mom or dad spends time with one.
Unfortunately, some men aren’t that capable or are easily overwhelmed. LOL
Sometimes, in our house, that one on one is mom in one room with child, dad with other and listening to them read or reading to them. Then we rotate.

Rotate a staying up 30 mins later schedule on a weekend.

I knew a couple of military wives whose husbands were away. They worked together to hold play dates for a group of kids while mom spent time with one. It was really quite amazing how these women made it work.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:58:37 +0000

Although this article is interesting, it doesn’t apply when we’re talking about a “brood”, unless brood is now limited to 2 children.

If one child has activities, and you have more than 1 on your hands, it’s not very easy to have alone time. Same goes for commuting if you have more than 1 child going to a school/daycare at a time.

Reading might work, but if it’s a group of children close in age, again, it’s not 1 on 1 time 🙁 and if you read to each one separately the routine can take the whole evening.

By: Audrey

Audrey — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:21:16 +0000

Love this post Laura! The “use older kids activities” is very effective. While one daughter is in dance class, that’s often coffee/treat time with the other, or reading a book and getting calm one on one homework time.
I used to try to schedule them in after school activities at the same time, but learned this way was better and made for more quality time with each.
Happier kids even though it means an extra trip for classes.

Chore teams is a great one too. Going to do that more. Emptying the dishwasher is much more fun with four hands and some mother daughter conversation.
Thanks!