Continuing with the series I started last Saturday on the importance of Family in this Holiday Season, this week I wanted to talk about the importance of spending time with your kids.

So this week the suggestion is to spend some time playing with your kids. There are many important benefits for your child to engage in play, besides bonding with you. Some of these are:

• Building the imagination
• Promoting their social skills
• Advancing their physical development
• Helping them work through their emotions
• Teaches patience and problem solving skills

I know that for me it is difficult for me to remember how it was that I played as a child. And when my kids wanted me to play with them in the past I found it difficult. But I found that if I just let them lead in whatever we were doing that it worked out quite well. Now this does not mean that you can't choose the activity. In fact my kids oftentimes want me to pick what me do. So here are some suggested activities that you could try;

• Play a game. Whether cards or a board game I promise you will all enjoy yourself. 
• Get crafty together. Make something. What exactly will depend on your skill level but these are the kinds of memories that will last a lifetime. 
• Listen to music together. Introduce them to some new music or even introduce both of you to something you've never heard before. 
• Watch a movie together. With my oldest we are watching old classics from the 40's to the 70's.
• Read a book together. Not only will this help to broaden your and the kids' vocabulary but you may just both learn something. 
• Get outdoors. Play hide and seek or tag. Or just watch the clouds or the birds. There is always something new and exciting to see.

Whatever you do just make sure you have fun. Turn off the cellphone and unplug from our connected world. Make the time you set aside just about the kids.

Blessed Be!