12 Simple Things You Can Do This Year (Just 1 a Month!) to Connect With Your Kids

Teaching children compassion for others will help them find love and respect for themselves. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just about chocolates and sweets. Instead, turn the dreariest month of the year into something warm and filled with love. You'll both treasure making the cards, even if it's just your toddler's scribble on red construction paper, and passing them out will bring you even more joy.

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Assuming your kids are old enough to understand and vocalize the concepts of like and dislike, consider asking your child every night what was their one high and their one low. This little trick can help you better understand them, both in how they think and their interests. Any time you want to build a connection, it's imperative that you maintain open and honest conversation. Of course, it's a two-way street. Being as honest as you can, share yours as well.

Growing up, it was easy to know when we were going get into a big clean. The stereos would be blasting and classic rock would be coming out of the speakers; my mom and I would help each other tackle projects until the whole place was back in order. Children, even the young ones, can help with simple chores. Doing these basic things together encourages an understanding that things have value and should be treated well.

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Plants, simply put, are amazing. At the beginning of the month, plant a simple little garden together. It can be as easy as a flower or something more labor-intensive like vegetables. Either way, children love getting their hands dirty and feeling proud after accomplishing a task. Watching their plant grow and thrive will be just the thing to brighten up those rainy Spring days.

Walking is great for your health, but that's beside the point. Walking with your children, especially at their glacial pace, gives you a chance to talk or enjoy the quiet together. There are 17 trees between my house and the playground closest to us. I only know that because my 2-year-old son made me count them all as we meandered to the playground. Children see the world in an entirely different way than adults, and so often, we get focused on the destination that we don't stop to appreciate the journey. Slow your pace, talk, and enjoy these moments where your child examines every sidewalk crack and ladybug.

I live in Chicago, and though it's a beautiful city, it doesn't really have a lot going for it in the way of mountains or hills. Still, this Summer, I'm planning on camping with my toddler. I don't care if it's an official campground, our back yard, or in the living room — camping is special. It gets you out of the mundane, forces you to be a little uncomfortable, and to embrace your surroundings free from technology.

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Considering that August is typically the time when children begin a new school year, giving children more control is huge. Autonomy helps build confidence. You'll be amazed at what your child can be capable of. A simple act, like pouring their own cereal at 3 or getting themselves completely ready at 5, will transform your morning and let them know that you trust them.

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Practice being more present with your children. I have a habit, for better or for worse, of always having my phone nearby. Mostly it's to take photos of my son or to check work emails, but regardless of intent, it's important to put it away every once in a while.

Creating something together, especially a spooky story, is an easy way to reconnect with your children. My son is in a stage where he thinks poop is funny, so I imagine his story would be a lot about that, and that's OK. Let their imaginations run wild, helping them along the way. This kind of play is so important to divergent thinking and problem-solving. I still remember my dad and me making up stories based off of pictures from my Highlights magazines. They were terrible, but boy, did we laugh.

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A year is a long time to a child. Set aside a special time to talk about their, and your, favorite moments. You'll be surprised by their answers, since there's guaranteed to be some randomness thrown in, and it will send you both back down memory lane.