5 Ways to Be More Present With Your Little Ones

1. Simplify your life – If you don’t have to do it, don’t. There are far more important things in life than whether or not you have a three-course meal seven nights a week or every clean piece of laundry in the house is folded and put away. Let some things go.

2. Put down the phone – Our phones keep us connected, right? Unfortunately, they’re also one of the many distractions in life that preoccupy us and waste our time. Think about it. How much time every day do we all waste checking email or Facebook?

3. Live in the moment – For some, that’s harder than it is for others. I know that I’m known for planning things as much as possible, but sometimes, the best things are spontaneous. How does curling up together and watching a movie with hot chocolate on a snow day sound?

4. Plan your days – Not to contradict myself, but what I mean by plan your days is make the best use of your time that you possibly can. I’m very adamant about doing minimal cleaning when the little guy is awake. I generally only do what I have to do. When he’s awake, I’m spending time with him. Depending upon your workload, you may or may not be able to actually manage this all the time, but when you can, it’s a beautiful thing.

5. Adjust your expectations – Realize that the house may not be immaculate every day or the laundry may not get put away immediately or you may even periodically be tripping over toys, but that’s okay. At the end of the day, you read books and played games. When everything is said and done, that’s what matters – not that everything is perfect or there are clothes in the dryer or a few random toys are scattered on the floor.

Are you really there? Are you spending as much time with your little one as you possibly can? Do you have any great ways to be more present? Leave a comment and add to my list.

Written by: Cristi Wuenschel