15 | 10 Ways our family makes QUALITY connection with 6 crazy schedules. (Hint: It’s simple!) With JENNIFER
10 Super simple ways to set up your day for quality connection with no work from you.
We mamas can put a whole lot of pressure on ourselves to make all the moments count and do it all “the right way” and many days it feels unrealistic and overwhelming to make all the things happen. The best way to take the pressure off yourself is to remember it’s all about quality, not quantity.
Try these super simple ways to set up your day for quality connection with little or no effort from you.
Use Togather stickers in your home! The easiest way to outsource your communication and know that quality connection is going to happen simply because you had one prompt to get it going. Order Togather for Family Dinner, Togather for Date Night, and more HERE.
Leave. Yep, it’s that simple. Just leave your house. Leave the disorganization, the stress, the piles calling your name. Go somewhere that makes it easy for you to give your attention to exactly the PERSON you want to give it to and not “stuff”.
Have 30-minutes of one-on-one time with each child. 30 minutes. That’s it. It’s doable for you and makes a WORLD of difference to your child. Uninterrupted, eye contact, attention Take it up a notch and invite them via a hand-written not on their mirror or in their lunchbag.
Stop, Drop, and Fold. It’s the technique that will make you focus more on eye-contact and listening which will naturally make you focus more on that quality connection. Stop what you’re doing. Physically drop it (the phone, the dishes, the email, etc) and fold your hands so you don’t feel tempted to pick it back up and you WANT to give that person your attention.
Pray together. May seem simple and it’s probably something you already do in your home anyway, but there’s no denying that the act of intentionally praying together brings a bond and connection that nothing else can.
Gather together somewhere new. As in a new environment. Just the “newness” and “change of pace” helps freshen things up and makes everyone more willing to engage. You know what I mean. Think new hiking place, new game of backyard baseball, bedtime stories, etc.)
Hide your phone. Well, that sounds simple….aaaannnndd not simple at all because how many of us are guilty of mindlessly picking it up for a totally unnecessary scroll and then it completely takes our attention from where it needs to be. Hide your phone and open your heart. Cheesy, but true.
Screen limits. Set them. Commit to them. Don’t waver. Just the fact that you have limits is going to provide a reason for your crew to gather more TOGETHER and with intention. It’s going to lead to more conversation, to more being in the same room together, to more “what should we do”. And the point is, all of that means you will naturally create those quality connections without trying.
Keep one space clutter free. Umm. That sounds great, but how the heck does that help my connection? Because when you have a space in your home that feels inviting and cozy and uncluttered, it naturally makes people want to gather there. There’s little stress and it creates a mode that makes you all just slow down, sit longer, and TALK.
Create a habit of eye contact and meaningful words. Just like anything in life, if you make these things a habit, they will just feel natural. And when it feels natural, it makes those around you expect it and want to be a part of it. Thus it carries into all areas of your family - dinner, car rides, everyday things like making dinner, etc.