If you ask most parents, they will agree that their homes are cluttered with things for their kids. That’s why as you approach the holiday season it might be worth considering giving the gift of time this year versus things.
According to Beverly Anderson, Executive Director of Ebenezer Child Care Centers with locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and Wauwatosa/West Allis, “In today’s world where we are so busy, giving the gift of time is a really precious thing to consider.”
Fitness Time
Anderson says there are a lot of ways your family can spend quality family time focusing on health and wellness.
“A family membership to the YMCA or another area health club where you can go swimming, play basketball or racquetball together is a great idea. Another fun idea is downhill skiing lift tickets or purchasing snowshoes that you can utilize in our county and state parks. Finally, there are many yoga studios which offer family yoga that are worth checking out as well.”
Vacation Time
Family vacations make memories that last a lifetime and whether you travel far or stick closer to home the time away together is precious.
Anderson suggests watching Groupon for travel specials and using a vacation as an opportunity for your children to learn.
“There are so many great museums, historical venues and attractions aimed at helping children explore the world around them just waiting to be visited. Pick a destination to visit and decide together what to do.”
Cooking Time
Cooking is a lifelong skill that everyone needs to learn, so purchasing cooking classes aimed at kids or simple kitchen tools or kids cookbooks that your children can use to help cook is a great idea.
Anderson also suggests purchasing meal kits or assembling your own kits to make special cooking sessions. For example, you could purchase all of the fixings for healthy snacks and then have a time where you make ants on a log (celery, peanut butter and raisins) together. Or, you could purchase pancake molds, pancake mix and syrup and have a quality Saturday morning baking session for breakfast.
“The idea is to get kids comfortable in the kitchen while having fun together.”
Game Nights
Anderson suggests you start an ongoing tradition of game nights.
“Consider starting the night with a special dinner like making your own pizzas and then select some games to play or a puzzle to make together. The quality time you spend together will far outweigh getting cluttering up your house with more things this holiday season.”
Ebenezer Child Care Centers is a not-for-profit, locally based agency committed to providing early childhood programs from the heart. The agency prides itself on being different from other child care providers in that it offers a home-like atmosphere; individualized, nurturing care; and a structured curriculum that is virtues-based for every child’s developmental stage.
Every Ebenezer Child Care Center focuses on all aspects of a child’s development: cognitive, physical, emotional, and social. In addition to providing quality care, the agency also offers other educational programming all aimed at helping parents.
The agency has locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and West Allis/Wauwatosa. The agency’s main office is located at 1138 South 108th Street, West Allis. For more information, please visit the agency’s website at www.ebenezerchildcare.com.
