Welcome to the second post of my Hands Free Mama Journey. This month is all about making purposeful connections. Most of all, finding ways to connect that are genuine and real. If you missed the last one you can check it out here.
I think that more often than not, we as busy, always-on-the-go people take advantage of the many opportunities we have each day to make genuine connections with those we love. In Hands Free Mama, you are encouraged to find those opportunities and to make them count.
Simply disengaging yourself from your phone, Ipad, or computer are great ways to increase the number of connections you can make with your family each day, but are you making them count.
We all have those moments where we are there, we are present, but not really. I personally check out every time we get into the car. I am making lists, going over my to-do list, or just simply checked out. The key is to find those opportunities to connect and to make it happen.
Making Purposeful Connections
Here are five ways that you can make purposeful connections with those you love.
- Turn off the radio and talk to your kids in the car. Tell stories, ask them crazy, wild, hypothetical questions like, “If you could have any talent in the world, what would it be.” You can even make up adventures that you would like to go on.
- Play games. Board games, card games, and role-playing games are always a great way to have fun and connect with your kids and even your spouse. Turn off the TV and make game night a regular occurrence.
- 1:1 time with each child. If possible, find a way to spend a few minutes each day with each child doing something they love. All you need is five minutes! Read a book, play a game, paint nails, go for a short walk together, or let them help you in the kitchen (just them).
- At night, instead of watching TV or being on your phone, talk to your spouse. Making connections is about much more than what we do with our kids, it’s about our spouses as well. This is a struggle of mine. I have done well with disconnecting from the social media world during the day when I am with my kids but I seem to try to make up for lost time at night, instead of spending that quality time with my husband.
- Tell someone about your journey. Talking with a relative or your spouse about your Hands Free Journey can help motivate you even more. Connecting with someone else about the changes you are making in your own life will help solidify them for you as well.
Finally, I would like to end with a quote from Hands Free Mama that really stood out to me.
“There is no distraction in the world stronger than human connection.”
– Rachel Macy Stafford
Whether you are following along on this journey with me or just stopping by, keep those words in mind. We need human connection, we crave human connection, and no distraction is stronger than a connection that has already been made.
So, how will you make a purposeful connection today?
Every day I try to sit and play, be in a moment and give my undivided attention, sometimes it is hard, but I know how important it is for them. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Lily, it is so hard! Even when I think I am doing my best and being conscious of how much I am “in the moment” I still get easily sidetracked.