Being a mother of two beautiful children means that my time and attention is mostly shared between them. This is fine but I also believe that sometimes it is good to spend time with each child individually.
One of the things I worried the most about during my second pregnancy was how my son would react to having a sister and how our family dynamics would change. So when my daughter was born I set up a few dates with my son in the hope it would help to ease him into sharing my attention with his then baby sister. I didn’t want him to feel left out or threatened by the amount of attention a new born required from mummy.
Our dates were only short (I was breastfeeding my daughter) but i remember we had lots of fun.
Unfortunately, our last date was a very long time ago. Somehow life just seemed to get in the way but I believe time has come for my handsome son and I to start going on regular dates again.
My daughter gets my (almost) undivided attention everyday while her big brother goes to school and I think that he now understands that and sometimes wishes he could spend the day with mummy too.
So, in an attempt to spend more one-on-one quality time with my big boy I have been thinking about some mummy and son date ideas. Here are my favourites;
- Go for brunch/lunch.
- Go for a walk on the beach.
- Visit the fire station. (my son is obsessed with fire engines and firemen)
- Build Lego. (my son is only 3 but he loves building big boys lego)
- Go to the zoo/aquarium.
- Look for ‘treasures’ on the beach.
- Bake something delicious.
- Go for ice cream.
- Build a fort.
- Painting. (both my son and I love to paint so this is a perfect date activity).
What do you think of taking your children on dates? Have you done it before? Can you see the benefits of spending one-to-one time with them?
Love, P
32 comments
Oh I love this! I adore one on one time with my son and my worries right now echo your pregnancy worries too. I am cherishing our time together now and will look forward to putting in place a few special ‘dates’ from September xxx
Things will definitely change with the arrival of new baby but I’m sure you will find time to have really lovely special dates with your big boy. X
I LOVE these ideas!! Like you, I haven’t been able to do long “dates,” because I am nursing an infant. But, my son absolutely adored going to a coffee shop and sitting at the bar, next to me, eating his “butterfly cookie,” while I just sipped my coffee.
Something so simple, and about a month later, he still talks about it!
How lovely. I can already see the benefits of spending more time with him. It’s great x
I love this idea. I only have (and will only have) the one but I still love the idea of spending 1:1 time as I know mummy will get less of a look in when he is older. I would add bike ride and picnic, kayaking, museum and film night in to your wonderful list.
I love your suggestions. I think bubba would love kayaking but not sure how I would feel about it…
I read this and got a little teary, its lovely. I find juggling work and life I realised the other day me and my little boy do not get much 1-1 anymore. When I was single we were all each other had, now we are a family which is lovely but I miss that time..this has prompted me me to book a Leo and mummy shaped date xx
Oh Thank you so much. I completely understand what how hard it is because most of the time we do things as a family as well but I really think that at the moment my boy needs more dates with his mummy. Leo is going to love all the attention from mummy I’m sure. Thank you for the lovely comment x
I think this is absolutely beautiful – made me feel little tearful – so important to spend time with children individually. I find it so hard with three that I spend most of the time I’m letting one of them down and not doing enough – but I love your thoughts on this – gorgeous dates #stayclassy
Such a lovely comment. Thank you. At the moment I do so much more with my daughter. I really think that little man is CRAVING mummy time. Can’t wait to have our 1st date 🙂
I love the idea of this and something I would like to do if/when I have any more children. My daughter will be at least six or maybe even seven when a new child comes into our lives so I think it will be important to have quality mum and daughter time then! #fortheloveofblog
Thank you Kat. That’s lovely and your daughter will really appreciate the mummy time x
What brilliant ideas. I read about ‘lovebombing’ and I think it’s really important when you have more than one child to try and make time for them individually, even if it’s 15 minutes a day or just a few hours once a week. I hope to do this if/when I have another child! #fortheloveofBLOG
I know. I really wish I could spend more one on one time with him everyday but it’s difficult because he is at school and when he gets home he is tired and just wants to be left alone. I have started taking him out while his sister snoozes on the weekend. He loves it and to be honest I can see a massive change in his behaviour also. X
Oh this is such a lovely post! What a beautiful thing to do! And some really fantastic ideas here! I hope your next mother and son date Is Full of fun and laughter! They are the best memories made! Xxx
Thank you sassy. X
Lovely ideas! This is great for him and you – have fun! #stayclassy
Thank you.
Awwww thats so cute. Makes me want a little man!!
#stayclassy
OMG what a great idea! You sound like a wonderful mother for creating a special thing for each child. I’m going to have to steal this idea. : ) Thanks so much for sharing with #StayClassy!
I try to be but in reality I’m just going along with it and hoping I’m making the right choices. Thanks for hosting x
I think a date with your child is a brilliant idea, it is one-to-one time where they can get your undivided attention without another child, social media, blogging or TV getting in the way. I really like the ideas you have written down, I’m sure your Son will love them. Thank you so much for joining up with us at #fortheloveofBLOG, I hope you come back to join the party next week. Claire x
I’m sure too. I can see the benefits of spending more time one on one with him already. Thanks for hosting x
It’s so hard isn’t it, to feel like you are spending time and giving equal attention to both children? When my eldest started nursery in January, it was the first time I had ever spent time with the youngest on his own. He really struggled to get used to his big brother not being there!! I usually let him choose what he wants to do, and it’s usually the park!! I usually bake with the eldest when the youngest is sleeping, but need to make more of an effort to spend longer periods of time with him alone. You’ve got some lovely ideas here for things to do with one child!
Thanks for sharing with #bigpinklink.
I love having little dates with G, we always go on trips to cafes/garden centres/parks when we’re alone, although he doesnt actually have any siblings to share my attention with I still love to spend some dedicated one on one time together. Thanks for the ideas, they’re all great! #bigpinklink
I bet he love spending that one to one time with you. Life can be so busy that it’s super important we have these little moments with our little ones. Thanks for commenting x
I love this idea. I only have the one at the moment but we will, hopefully, have a second and this is a great way to make sure your first doesn’t feel left out. Will def keep this in mind when the time comes! x #TheList
Such a beautiful post idea. Love the mother and son relationship 🙂
Thank you
I love this, I realised I’ve been a little too keen to get my daughter into nursery doing full days so I could have a break but in September she starts big school 🙁 and this precious time will be erased. So I have stopped nursery on a Friday so we can have mummy and daughter dates too! A great post and I shall be doing some of your ideas! #triballove
That’s lovely that you get that day together. I’m sure she loves it.
It’s just so hard to have quality time together when you have more than 1 child but I think that it is super important for them and for us also. Your older son is going to love having mum to himself 🙂 thanks for the lovely comment. x