Children are only once so you have one shot to get it right. Most parents look back upon their child’s formative years and wish that they had done things a little differently. The secret to bonding with a child and giving them a good start in life is to spend time with them. What you do during that time isn’t crucial; the act of engaging with them and giving them your undivided attention is what matters. Yes, it is difficult to motivate yourself when you are exhausted, but those are the times you regret if you don’t.
If you are a tired mum looking for activities to do with your little one, I hope you will find inspiration here. Even if these pastimes are not for you, they may make you think in the right direction and come up with your own ideas.
Make Cakes
Kids love getting down and dirty with the mixer, so what better way to entertain them than making cakes? If you have never baked little sponge cakes before, you are in for a treat. The recipe is so simple that even the most inept cook can churn them out in their hundreds. Here is how to make them.
Ingredients
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4oz / 125g caster sugar
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4oz / 125g self raising flour
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4oz / 125g butter
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons of milk
Put the sugar and butter in a bowl and mix them together.
Add the beaten eggs a little at a time while mixing. A pinch of flour will stop them curdling.
Mix the flour in with a spoon.
Add the milk
You can add sultanas, or cocoa powder to make them different if you like. Place the mix in individual cases or a cake tin and cook in a preheated oven for about twelve minutes on gas mark 7 or 190c for electric. Take them out when they are golden brown and allow them to cool.
Read
It should be the duty of all parents to read to their children. Those who do not, put their kids at a disadvantage when they start school. Some kids are able to read to a reasonable standard before formal education because of the efforts of their parents. There are thousands of books from Barrington Stoke and other shops online that are waiting to fire your child’s imagination. Remember that it must be a fun activity, so make sure you both enjoy it.
Gardening
Put aside a part of the garden for your children. They love pulling out weeds and digging. It is an enjoyable way for them to learn about the environment and the way plants grow too. Let them plant some seeds in a pot and germinate them on the window sill. When the plants are large enough, take them out into the garden and put them in the kids area. They will nurture their own plants and derive great satisfaction from their efforts.
As you can see, the simple things are often the best. Your bond will grow stronger, and they will always remember and look back fondly on the time you spent with them. Never underestimate the value of the job that you are doing; it lays the seeds of happiness and success.
