Before my kids arrived, I blogged a bit on making one-on-one kid time. I've posted a little bit here and there, now and again, but I'm really seeing the dividends.

My daughter is just like me in so many ways. One of them is that she is not a morning person. Often, she will seek me out when she first wakes up because she knows I understand it takes awhile, and I will let her lay in my lap and get herself together before talking, or I will shield her from the unholy noises her brothers make when they realize she is finally awake (after sacrificially “restraining” themselves until then).

My youngest loves to cuddle in my lap when I'm on the computer. He loves just to climb up and give me a hug and see what I'm up to. Then he gives me a hug and kiss and pops off. After his daily Quiet Time (sometimes he naps, sometimes he doesn't), he, too, will groggily seek me out for a little Mama Time. He just likes to lay in my lap and be near until getting his bearings enough to zoom off with Big Bubbie.

My oldest has always had Cuddle Time with me. Just a few minutes before his bedtime, we'll sit together and cuddle.

Each of the kids also do chores with me, one-on-one. They love the feeling of being my Special Helper!

I love having one-on-one time with each child! They feel special, and I can connect with each one of them to get a pulse on what's going on with them. I'm finding that my oldest is beginning to use it as a time to sound things out with me as he begins to navigate The Tween Years. He's had some issues with a friend, and has needed to bounce ideas off of me. I love it that he comes to me as a resource, something I pray will continue! And, it's something I directly attribute to having one-on-one time!

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