Share Together Time

I’m married to a sales manager whose job comes with long hours and frequent out-of-state travel. When he’s on the road, he leaves before the sun is up and comes home days later, long after the kids are asleep. During the busiest part of the year, even when he’s not traveling, he’s gone before we wake up and home after bedtime.

There are moments when I think, Is this what single parenting feels like? But I know it’s not. I  don’t carry all the weight a single parent does.

Mindfulness is a way of being present in our lives that can help us develop greater balance, empathy, and clarity.

Listen in on this timeless classic of a podcast -- an encouraging conversation with Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Myla Kabat-Zinn about bringing greater mindfulness to both the joys and trials of parenting.

Right now, the custom of hanging out with friends is new to both my daughter and me. I have to find new ways of relating with Elia and setting boundaries to protect family time while respecting her time with friends and nurturing her growing self-autonomy. 

What are the milestones and transition points your family has celebrated this month?

The evenings can be a challenge. My 7-year-old son and I don't always have the same wants or needs at the same time. It's easy to lose connection with each other.

How does your family enjoy playful time together?

Ever since my daughter was born, my favorite part of the day is bedtime and not because it provides me with much-needed rest. 

What is your favorite time of day with your children? In what special way do you enjoy moments of closeness with your child?

There is something so fun about watching my older children mimic my parenting approach with their younger siblings.

What benefits do your children get from having siblings, even if they don’t always get along? What are moments of connection they do have?

I have a new baby in my family. He is now 17 months old. My last baby was born 10 years earlier. The baby before this baby was born two years prior to my second. My older children are ages 11 and 13.

How do you follow your child's lead in your parenting?

Nurturings tucks the research-based Eight Principles of Parenting into 3 parenting skills that academic literature shows are irreducible requirements for children to flourish.

When have you shared time together with your child today?

Celebrate with us this month with a "walk" through Nurturings' last 30 years with daily posts on our Facebook page!

I found that building a relationship with my babies was easy. All I needed to do was cuddle, feed, and care for them. Naturally as my children grew, our relationship grew. I saw that what we did together as a family were ways for my husband and I to share our family values and stay connected over time.

What traditions and stories do you honor, share, and create as a family?