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

Raise your hand if your life gets pretty hectic. Since I can't see you, I'm just going to assume that most of you have your hands raised, and for those who don't, please email me your secrets. Between jobs, exercise, hobbies, obligations, and requisite relaxation, it can be difficult to find time to create moments of genuine connection with our families.

Taking into account our busy modern lives, here are 12 easy things you can do throughout the year to connect with your kids of practically any age.

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January: Create Together A Yearlong Bucket List
Flickr user _Will

January: Create Together A Yearlong Bucket List

Similar to drafting a family resolutions list, this is the time to dream big. With your little ones, create the ultimate fun to-do list for the whole year. Things can be adventurous, like doing a family fun run, or you can plan a vacation. As long as they're old enough to have a basic grasp of language, they're old enough to contribute ideas. For kids that are really young, make a bucket list of things you would like to do with them. Even something as simple as going to the beach can help build memories for the whole family.

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February: Make Valentine's Day Cards to Distribute at Nursing Homes
Unsplash/ Clem Onojeghuo

February: Make Valentine's Day Cards to Distribute at Nursing Homes

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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March: Start Talking About Daily Highs and Lows
Unsplash/ Patricia Prudente

March: Start Talking About Daily Highs and Lows

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.

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April: Tackle a Spring-Cleaning Chore Together
Unsplash/ Casper Rubin

April: Tackle a Spring-Cleaning Chore Together

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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May: Create a Container Garden
Unsplash/ Benjamin Combs

May: Create a Container Garden

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.

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June: Resolve to Take Daily Walks
Unsplash/ Vasile Tiplea

June: Resolve to Take Daily Walks

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.

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July: Create a Camp-Out Atmosphere
Unsplash/ Janko Ferlič

July: Create a Camp-Out Atmosphere

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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August: Give Them More Control Over Their Day-to-Day
Unsplash/ Piotr Chrobot

August: Give Them More Control Over Their Day-to-Day

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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September: Put Away Your Phone
Unsplash/ David Grandmougin

September: Put Away Your Phone

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.

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October: Write a Spooky Story Together
Unsplash/ Ben White

October: Write a Spooky Story Together

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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November: Create a Wall of Gratitude
Unsplash/ Jessica Bristow

November: Create a Wall of Gratitude

It's one thing to say what you're thankful for at the dinner table surrounded by extended family. It's quite another to dedicate a whole month to gratitude. Find a place in your house where you can collect or display cards of gratitude. Things as simple as your baby taking a three-hour nap are amazing things that deserve appreciation. Have kids think of something each day to be thankful for, and at the end of the month, read them all together.

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December: Favorite Moments From the Year
Unsplash/ Enis Yavuz

December: Favorite Moments From the Year

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.

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