Inexpensive one on one ideas for multi kid family. Any suggestions?

Brandi - posted on 11/04/2009

I try to take my 3 yr. old to the library every week or so as she loves to read books. My son is only 18 mos. old, but typically wakes from his nap 20 mins or so earlier than my daughter and my daughter is in preschool a couple of days a week, so anytime i have a few mins. with him i will sit him in my lap and talk with him. he loves to "tell knock knock jokes" and loves those rare moments when he can tell them to me and have my FULL attention. *by the way his knock knock jokes are soooooooo cute as he doesn't quite understand the concept* typically "ock knock" I say who's there, "ahh" I say ahh who he says "ock knock" I say who's there and that could go on for as long as i let it go. anyway, i degress. also, if i have to go to the grocery store, i leave one child with my hubby and take the other with. they get to stop at the bakery for acookie and the deli for a piece of cheese and we have a good solid hour to 2 hours to chat and just be together. (my hubby does the same if he is doing the grocery shopping, sort of a divide and conquer situation) it's not always easy to feel like you are spending quality time with your kids one on one, but i think if you just include them in whatever you are already doing, they feel special.

Jami - posted on 11/04/2009

we do individual bath time (taking turns) sometimes when it feels like we haven't had any one on one time. or we will just play with them separately. Sometimes we will take them with us if we are leaving. sunday I went grocery shopping and then planned to spend time with my mom so I took my almost 5 year old son with me and we played in the leaves together for an hour or so. my children usually give hints about what they want. my 5 year old likes to play outdoors with us, my 3 year old likes to write so I will sit and write him notes and help him write stuff too. my daughter isn't 2 yet so sometimes I will just take her into the shower with me she loves that.

Heather - posted on 11/04/2009

I only have child, a son age 3. but I was the only girl in my family, got three brothers. My mom and I used to cook together, go shopping just the two of us when I needed something. I would go hunting and fishing with my dad or help him work on cars. going on a hike, picnic to the park. Doing some kind of craft day. Reading with each kid indevidually before bed. Just a few suggestions that might help. My husband works long hours four days a week so my son often misses him. so now when he is home they spend time just the two of them while I go do the laundry at the laundry mat (dont have my own). My husband is a cook as well so now once a week they make me dinner together and I get a break. Our son also enjoys helping us out on various outdoor projects.

Jess - posted on 11/04/2009

I have 3 young children and we also live on a single income. one thing we have done that is inexpensive is that each child has a special night to stay up half an hour later than the other kids to have one on one time. We do everything from playing on the computer together, to painting nails and toes, playing games or whatever they want to do,
(within reason)

Marcia - posted on 11/04/2009

I totally understand your problem! My husband and i have 7 children a daughter that is 19 now with 2 kids of her own still at home we have 4 boys 15,13,12,10 and 2 girls 11,and 7! Never a dull moment here! Mommies helper was always the thing around here for one on one time more than anything. When i wash dishes one of them rinses or something like that which gives me time to find out about whats goin on with each of them. My husband does the same thing with yard work and stuff. we are also a single income family so i know about the need to be inexpensive. We also schedule birthday dates which is when the birthday child gets to go with us alone to pick out their cake and stuff for their party. we take them out to eat and stuff. mommies helper works well i think because not only do you get the one on one time you are also teaching them things they need to know for their future.