Much has been written about the importance of parents having one-on-one time with their children. Some people might think that automatically means dads and sons, moms and daughters. Well, iit is just as important for opposite-sex parents and kids to spend time alone together as well.
Here are nine things for moms and their young sons to do together that you might not have thought about!
1. Take a walk in a new place.
Most parents and kids go to a local park to take walks (and play), but those aren’t the only places to go! Strolling through city streets, or neighborhoods even just a few miles from home, will offer a fresh perspective, elicit questions, and offer opportunities for learning about new things.
2. Find a pond and feed some ducks.
Watching ducks interact is one of the funnier things for kids (and adults) to do. Bring something like plain bread (nothing greasy, spicy or processed) and take in the duck behavior. Who is in charge? Who is getting left behind? Why? Which are the males and which are the females? All good questions!
3. Go on a scavenger hunt.
Make a simple, random list (three rubber bands, a paper plate, etc.) and hit the neighborhood looking for your treasures. Let your son do the talking when neighbors open their doors. If you live in a rural area, drive to your nearest small business area and have a scavenger hunt in a mall or shopping district.
4. Visit a garden center.
Roaming around a well-stocked nursery, the kind with rows and rows of plants, can be both educational and fun. Pick one out to buy, along with some soil and a pot. Herbs are a great way to introduce gradening to a child because they can generally be harvested immediately and used in food.
5. Build a ramp.
Most men will tell you that riding their bikes off ramps was one of their favorite things to do as a child. Any scrap wood laying around or picked up for free or cheap at a local supply store will do the trick. Make the height age appropriate and have at it! Your son will have a whole new appreciation for you!
6. Visit a nursing home.
Most communities have assisted living or long-term care facilities that would welcome visitors to spend a little time, especially with residents who get few, if any visitors. Introduce the idea of aging and needing more help with everyday tasks, even simple ones. Be ready for questions!
7. Look at the night sky on a full moon.
Together, find the next full moon on the calendar and make a plan to dress warmly and sit outside together. Turn off the porch lights, or try to find an area nearby that is not surrounded with bright light. Set out lawn chairs, look up, and let your imagination do the talking. Look for satellites (steady moving dots of light) and falling stars. Notice the shapes that multiple stars make, especially those that look like everyday things.
8. Cook together!
Plan dinner, go to the store, and prepare a meal for just the two of you. Let your son do as much as he would like or is capable of, including setting the table. Make sure he is participating in all stages: prep, cooking, eating and cleaning. This is a great opportunity for a boy to see that a household activity that is often performed by a female can be both easy and fun and something he is capable of doing.
Moms, take note: Spending time one-on-one with your young son, exploring not just his world, but the world around him, which includes yours, offers a wealth of opportunity for learning about life from a mom’s point-of-view.
If you have questions about long-term care coverage or how NPFBA can help serve you, feel free to reach out to us via our website, phone, email or schedule a zoom meeting and let’s grab some face time!
