This pandemic has gifted us all with a lot of time together. We have been doing everything together in my house. No one has been going to school in the morning and the farthest commute we’ve had is up the stairs and behind a single closed door.

But I’ve been craving quality time.

The old saying “quality over quantity” is so true in this moment. We are together ALL THE TIME, but it has lost its intention. Normally, we try to take our kids on one-on-one dates with regularity, but this whole staying safe at home situation has put a stop to that. We’ve been so busy adjusting and adapting to the new normal that it’s been survival mode.

As we have wrapped up our crisis schooling, I have time to focus on getting back on track with intentional quality time. I have been making plans to spend time with not only my kids, but also my spouse. I hope some of you want to join me in finding ways to connect.

Let’s get to know our kids on a deeper level while we have the time:

Share a meal, just the two of you.

This might look different depending on your situation. Maybe this is having a picnic apart from the rest of the family. Maybe you take lunch out to enjoy at a park or a tailgate picnic. Eat out on the deck while everyone else is eating in the kitchen. Have a living room picnic! Set the formal dining room table for two while everyone eats in the breakfast nook. Whatever allows you to have a more intimate conversation. Ask questions. Get answers.

Take a walk.

This has become my favorite, as it is easy to implement. I enjoy taking a morning walk and would usually take it alone rather than begging others to join me. They are more fans of the after-dinner family walk. So, I have been phrasing this as a mini date. This week, I enjoyed some deep Star Wars discussion with my son. He has been watching the movies for the first time and was really interested in talking about it. My daughter has opened up about her feelings about missing the end of elementary school.  My husband enjoys hiking and running and has taken our kids out one at a time with him.

Find a new hobby together.

This is the one I am looking forward to trying this summer. My daughter and I are going to learn hand lettering together. I’ve been wanting to learn for a while and she is interested as well, so we ordered some supplies and will give it a go. My husband and I have had some good laughs and conversation while spending quality time together on house projects. That one is a two-for-one deal because we have crossed some things off the to do list at the same time. I’m still working with my son to find something we can try together. But I’m hopeful that our new summer hobby is out there.

Have you found new ways to connect while staying at home?

quality time

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Kristal, Senior Writer
Kristal is a native of California, lived in Utah, and now lovingly calls Colorado Springs home. She grew up in a household with four younger siblings and graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz. She and her husband are raising their elementary school aged children in the Briargate area. With kids in school full time, Kristal is an active member of the PTA, and spends time working in local schools. She is passionate about connecting moms in our community. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks in the aisles of Target, dancing it out in Zumba classes, drinking copious amounts coffee, cooking dinner as a form of therapy, and last but certainly not least, spending time outdoors with her family.