Reconnect with Your Child over Lunch
With a family where parents work and kids are in school all day, it’s sometimes hard to find enough quality time to spend with your child. By the time everyone gets home after a long day, it’s time to prepare dinner and unwind. So why not take advantage of lunch time to reconnect with your child and spend some quality time together?
Check with your child’s school to see if you are able to join your child for lunch. Plan a weekly lunch date with your child at school. Most schools allow you to purchase a hot lunch for yourself or join your child for cold lunch. If opting for cold lunch, prepare a special brown bag lunch for you and your little one. Don’t forget to pack a special treat for dessert for this special lunch date.
Of course you can also check with your child’s teacher or principal to see if it is possible to take your child off school grounds for a lunch in a nearby park.
Take advantage of this extra time with your child and ask about the school day, friends, etc. Your child will appreciate the extra undivided attention and you’ll be surprised what you will learn about their school, friends, and maybe even your child himself.
Weekly lunch dates don’t have to be the only time to reconnect with your child. Use weekend lunches to your advantage as well. If you have several kids, take them out to lunch one at a time for some time alone with you. Of course mom and dad can take turns at these lunch dates so each child gets to enjoy one parent at a time as well.
Lunch is also a great time to teach your child about good eating habits and proper nutrition. If you are packing a lunch, get your child involved in choosing what to prepare the night before or the morning of. Not only will your child be more likely to eat, and enjoy, a lunch they helped to prepare, but you can also gently guide them towards healthier choices like carrots instead of potato chips, turkey instead of bologna and fruit salad instead of that favorite Twinkie.
Take advantage of lunch time and spend some quality time with your child. The two of you have to eat anyway, why not enjoy a meal together and spend some time listening to your child? Not only do you reconnect with your child, you are also creating memories that the two of you will cherish for years to come.
