How do you give your quieter child enough attention when…
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How do you give your quieter child enough attention when their sibling always needs someth
My older kid is happy doing their own thing and rarely asks for help. My younger one will come find me over every missing toy, snack, argument, whatever. Neither is doing anything wrong, but some evenings I realize I’ve barely had a full conversation with my older child.
Yesterday I was scrolling on my phone when my older kid came over to show me a comic they’d drawn. We got through about half of it before their sibling called for help in the bathroom. I said I’d be right back, then got caught up in a couple of other things. Later I saw the comic on the table and remembered we hadn’t finished. I went and asked to see the rest, and they were happy to show me. It bothered me that I’d forgotten, though. I try to make time for just us but I’m noticing how often I interrupt our conversations because the younger one wants something. Sometimes it genuinely can’t wait. Other times I’m halfway through looking for a toy before it occurs to me that I could have said I’m busy. My older kid doesn’t complain, so it’s easy to assume they’re fine with it.
I don’t want to turn every evening into a guilt-driven special activity, either. Mostly I want to get better at giving them my attention during normal, boring days. What has actually helped in your house, especially when you’re the only parent home with both kids?
#relationships
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My older kid is happy doing their own thing and rarely asks for help. My younger one will come find me over every missing toy, snack, argument, whatever. Neither is doing anything wrong, but some evenings I realize I’ve barely had a full conversation with my older child.
Yesterday I was scrolling on my phone when my older kid came over to show me a comic they’d drawn. We got through about half of it before their sibling called for help in the bathroom. I said I’d be right back, then got caught up in a couple of other things. Later I saw the comic on the table and remembered we hadn’t finished. I went and asked to see the rest, and they were happy to show me. It bothered me that I’d forgotten, though. I try to make time for just us but I’m noticing how often I interrupt our conversations because the younger one wants something. Sometimes it genuinely can’t wait. Other times I’m halfway through looking for a toy before it occurs to me that I could have said I’m busy. My older kid doesn’t complain, so it’s easy to assume they’re fine with it.
I don’t want to turn every evening into a guilt-driven special activity, either. Mostly I want to get better at giving them my attention during normal, boring days. What has actually helped in your house, especially when you’re the only parent home with both kids?
#relationships
source
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