{20 Minute Swap, GO!!}

Hey ya’ll, I’m so glad you stopped by today!

I want to share with you a very simple and fun way to have one-on-one time with your kids (and spouse). I don’t know about you, but even with to-do lists, charts, calendars and more, I find that having one-on-one time with the people I love is a challenge.

I mean, try talking to your husband about something important without being interrupted 10 times by the kids. Or try spending time with the eldest child without an interruption from the youngest (and vice versa). It’s a challenge, to say the least!

My husband and I have talked about how important it is to have that one-on-one time with each child. That individual, uninterrupted time. But how?

How about the {20 Minute Swap} because anything is do-able in 20 minute chunks.

We tried it out yesterday and it worked out so well. I think it’s a keeper. Sit your kids down and tell them about the new GAME (very important to play it up as a fun activity!).

Then, explain the rules to them as follows:

• Pick a partner.
• We will set the timer for 20 minutes.
• You and partner get one-on-one time to play, talk, etc.
• When the timer beeps, you yell swap and move to a different partner.
• Game is over when each person has spent 20 minutes with each family member.
• You are not allowed to interrupt anyone’s one-on-one time unless there’s an emergency.

How did it look for us. 

First 20 minutes:

• Daddy and daughter- I heard lots of laughter so there must have been lots of tickling. She loves that.
• Mommy and son- We played a round of YATZEE, in which I lost badly!!! He got two YATZEE roles (unbelievable!).

Next 20 minutes, swap!

• Mommy and daughter- We ate, danced, and sang. It’s amazing how she doesn’t get tired of hearing the same song over and over.
• Daddy and son- Played a car race on the Play Station. Caught them through the glass door, they are so focused. Daddy’s been trying to beat Jay for a while now (no success!).

Next 20 minutes, swap!

• Son and daughter- They played with dominoes.
• Mommy and Daddy- Daddy had to run to work. But I wanted to post the break down so you can see how Mommy and Daddy can have some uninterrupted time also.

I especially loved the 20 minutes brother and sister time. I am hoping this will help them build better skills for getting along and playing together.

So there you have it. In an hour we were able to have one-on-one time with everyone in the family. It really was awesome and it helped the rest of the evening run smoothly.

Now it’s your turn! It doesn’t have to be a full 20 minutes. Make it 10, 15, or perhaps on evenings when you don’t have any plans, extend it to 30 minutes or more. Do not let the day pass without sitting in front of that child (and spouse) and giving them the most important gift you will ever give them, the gift of time!

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