Enjoy the Ride: Make Your Commute Time Count!
by Colleen Langenfeld
Copyright (c) 2003
Are you a commuting parent?
Do you know what that is?
Not just a parent who commutes, but a mom or a
dad who must commute WITH their little one each
day.
If this is your daily routine, are you making
the most of it?
Lower your frustration level and enhance your
relationship with your precious child by taking
some simple steps to ensure your daily commute
time with your child is the best it can be.
For example, if your child is preschool or
elementary age:
* Fix up several different sets of traveling
toys and rotate them. Expect each set to be
interesting for about two days in a row; then
put that set away for awhile. Upgrade your sets
every 6 months or as necessary to keep the
interest level high for your child.
Need ideas? Try these:
- Book/puzzle set.
- Magnetic toys set.
- Dress up stuff (hats work great while buckled
up and make for a silly game of 'Who Am I?'.
- Beads and strings.
- Handheld video games.
- Traveling art board.
- Puppets, hand and finger variety.
- Plastic dinosaurs, action figures, toy animals,
etc.
* Is your child old enough to read? Purchase a
question/answer or trivia-type handheld game
appropriate to the age of your child and reserve
one commute per week to exploring the questions.
Excellent conversation starter plus you will bask
in the glory of being the 'expert' for your child.
(Really enjoy this; it won't last forever!)
* If your child is preteen/teen, go to the library
and check out current-event magazines. Again, a
great conversation starter plus an excellent way
to pass on your family's values and beliefs.
* Plan your family's weekly menus and grocery
lists during one commute.
* Get some audiotapes to listen to together.
* One commute can even be song or music time.
Search the library or internet to gather
age-appropriate songs you can learn and enjoy
together. Pass on your love of music to your child
and listen with him or her to what's 'popular'
these days. Again, a tremendous opportunity to
share your values with your child.
Got teens?
* Ask the question, 'if you could do anything...'.
Then listen.
* Ask the question, 'what's bugging you the most
these days?' Then REALLY listen.
You get the picture.
Carve out a little quality time from a daily
grind and watch your relationship with your child
blossom. Plus, when the two of you do arrive home,
you'll probably both be ready to spend some time
alone or with other family members.
The key? No matter what your schedule, make every
moment together count.
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Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips and
creative resources to working moms who want
the most out of their homes, families and
careers at
http://www.paintedgold.com . Sign
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