I’m excited to be sharing with you the first post in a new series on the blog. 10 simple things you can do TODAY to connect with your child. Each week for the next ten weeks, I’ll be sharing one simple idea that you can implement right now, to foster a more connected relationship with your child. Each weekly post will take less than 5 minutes to read and the ideas shared will be simple enough to achieve on even the busiest of days. It is my hope that by the end of the ten weeks we will be more present for our children, and more mindful of the type of parent we want to be and that we know our children deserve. With each idea being so simple, and with only one intention to focus on each week, I know we can do this. Will you join me?
WEEK 1 – SEE THEM
When your child enters the room, look up from what you are doing, look them in the eyes and smile.
It seems like such a simple thing to do but its impact can be huge. Acknowledge your child. Notice them. Do this every single time you see them throughout the day, even if you were speaking with them just minutes earlier. When they enter the room, look up. Look them in the eyes. Smile.
That’s it for week 1. Simple right? Will you join me on this 10 week journey? Please leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear how this week’s intention unfolds for you. Please feel free to grab our “10 Simple Ways to Connect With Your Child” button from the sidebar as well!
Here are the links for the entire series.
Week 1 – See them.
Week 2 – Listen.
Week 3 – Say yes.
Week 4 – Begin each day with play.
Week 5 – Come from a place of love.
Week 6 – Believe in them.
Week 7 – Let them be themselves.
Week 8 – Switch off, tune in.
Week 9 – Be a real person. Share yourself.
Week 10 – Be kind to yourself. You are enough.
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Something so simple, but I believe it will make a huge difference. We all want to be acknowledged. We need to take our noses out of the phone/computer and really see our children! Great idea!
Thank you Sarah. I completely agree. Putting down the phone/computer can be very challenging and it’s definitely something I need to work on – especially the phone.
Simple, and so valuable.
Thank you for your kind comment Yari!
So simple and so very needed and valuable. Can’t wait to follow along an do this with you and all the others. Thanks so much
Than you Spirit! I’m so happy that you will be joining us.
Thankyou…I’m going to do this and every other tip you share for the next 10 weeks.We are going through a particularly challenging time right now and it will be very very useful for us.
Sar, thank you so much for being here and for joining me in this challenge. I really hope your challenging period subsides very soon. Keep in touch. We’re all friends here. x
Hey, I am so glad you are doing this and yes I am onboard, my son is with my parents at the moment, 36 week into pregnancy and I was doing my own head in – I have been really using this time to figure out how I want to parent differently and more mindfully and this is perfect. I am with you on this challenge!
So glad you’ll be with me on this 10 week journey Sharni! You are such an amazing Mama – you are always looking inward to try and be a better parent and you do it all with love, mindfulness and humour. You inspire me!
This is so lovely Ness!
Thank you Melissa!
Who couldn’t use a little more of this- I need to remember to look them in the eyes. I’m going to work on this today.
Hi Robyn. Thank you for your lovely comment. It’s such a simple thing to do and yet it can have such a powerfully positive effect on our children (or anyone for that matter). I’d love to hear how it goes for you this week.
I think all children need this. If you don’t feel that are getting it at home, they can try to look else where.
You are so righ JDaniel4′s Mom.
this reminds me of something i heard maya angelou say once….”do your eyes light up when your child walks into the room?”. after hhearing that, i try to remember to always be excited to see the kids when they wake up or whenever i see them…..great post!
Tricia that’s it exactly! Thank you for sharing this. I’ve never read any of Maya Angelou’s work. I need to change that.
I have been thinking about this very thing lately! Thank you–I will definitely be working on this! The “every time he enters the room” is taking a step further than I had intended to, but I will definitely do it! Sometimes, it just helps to have someone tell you to do what you know you should already be doing, you know? Thanks again–first time seeing this site but will continue to check back.
Welcome to the blog Katie and thank you for your comment! It might seem a lot to do this “every time he enters the room” and it may even seem uncomfortable at first, but after a little while, it will just become second nature – just a few seconds to acknowledge our children.
Wow! It’s amazing how easy it is to take the small things for granted. This is not only having a positive affect on her but on me as well. It reminds me to live in the moment & to enjoy my time with her. I think I’ve fallen more in love with her with each glance. Thank you!!
Cheli, thank you! Your comment has truly made my day. This is what makes it all worthwhile. Thank you.
Wonderful post! Words of wisdom for every parent!
Thank you so much Crystal!
I love this idea Ness! And such a simple, easy thing to do to connect with your child. One of my favorite ways to connect with my kids is to sing a song and give them a big smile when I get them out of bed in the morning. Looking up when they walk in the room is such a beautiful thing! I’ll be back to post about how it goes at our house.
What a beautiful way to begin the day Iawa Farmer’s Wife! Thank you for sharing that idea. So how did it go last week?
I’m so excited to try this.
Hi Kim! Thank you for being here and joining in with the weekly intentions. I’m so glad you’re excited to try this.
I love the reminder of staying connected with our kids by really seeing them and acknowledging them. I think the 10 weeks will be great.
Thank you so much Jen!
I am excited to read this series of posts!!
Hi E&B’s Mom – thank you so much for reading along and for your lovely comment.
Love it! How do I get the following weeks?
Hi Holly! Thanks so much for being here and reading along. We are only at week two so far. You can find week two at the following link http://www.oneperfectdayblog.net/2012/06/27/10-simple-ways-to-connect-with-your-child-week-2/ To follow the series, you can subscribe to the blog – enter your email address in the field on the top right hand side of your screen. You will then receive an email every time a new post is published and you won’t miss a single week of this series. You could also follow me on Pinterest as I pin each post I publish, or follow the blog on Facebook.
Thank you! A wonderful do-able thing!! Can’t wait for your other ideas!
Thank you for reading and participating Susan!
This great! I always looking for more little ways to connect. I have 4 kids and 2 of them already have a mom. Also with 4 it’s hard to make sure everyone gets the attention they need.
Thanks for your comment Ver. It’s not always easy to make the time for everyone is it? It’s the simplest things that can make all the difference though which is what this series is all about.
This is great! I like being able to focus on one specific thing for a week, instead of reading a list of “20 Ways to be a Better Parent” and then getting frustrated with myself for not being able to fulfill all 20 things at the same time. I will be following along with you the next 2 months. I agree with both week 1 and week 2 suggestions. They are considered “little things” by society standards but they mean soooooo much to my 2 year old.
Hi Erin! Thank you so much for your comment. That is exactly what I was thinking when I began the series. I was originally planning on writing all 10 items in one post but then I thought the same as you. It would be so much easier to simply concentrate on one thing at a time. There’s no pressure that way, we can be a little kinder to ourselves if we falter, and as we are building slowly each week, I think we have a greater chance of actually practising all 10 items than if we had simply read them all once in one list. Thanks so much for reading along.
I just found this on pinterest…..love it!! I will be following
Thank you Julie! I’m so happy you’ll be following along.
I found your blog today.
And I started to just look at my boys whenever our paths crossed this afternoon.
It is really precious.
Thank you for sharing.
looking forward to joining you on this journey…
So simple and so important! My son always reminds me how much my face (and my smile) tells him.
I am housing my sister and her son, since they started living with me Ive noticed her son (2yrs
Of age) rules her instead of the orher way around. He screams and gets what he wants. Ive never paid attention to his actions until he stayed with me bc I dont have this problem when Im babysitting him. So I hope these steps will help my sister and him connect better and build a healthier relationship.
This is a great and simple way to connect! Loving this series (as I rush to catch up on it)
Just found this today. We recently made the decision to homeschool our children, ages 7 and 3. I want this to be a positive experience for all of us. I’m going to start with Week 1 right now and follow along. Thank you for posting these!!
I am a Gran and feel guilty about the lack of connection with my grandchildren. Always making the excuse that I have only just got in from work, am too tired, and plain just “not today”. I want to turn this around and this is a wonderful staring point.
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I’m soooo glad I found this! I have a 6 mo and an almost 3 yo daughter. I feel like I’m doing it all wrong, but don’t know how to change things. I know I don’t give my older daughter enough attention and feel like I’m always pushing off her desires for my attention because housework has to get done or the baby needs attention. I was the oldest of 3, amd I think I am the way I am because my mom did the same thing and I cringe when I hear myself saying the same things to my kids. I want to be a better mom and be present and more loving for my daughters. I want to teach them the right way, and give them all the love and smiles they deserve! Thank you for doing this
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I love your ideas. I’m going to start doing these with my 2 year old for sure. I’ll be posting about it on my blog and giving weekly updates if that’s ok? Thanks for the great ideas!!!
Katie thank you! Yes, that would be wonderful. I’m looking forward to reading about how it all goes.
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I just read this and thought “well, of course I do that already”. Then I stopped and thought about it, and remembered all the times I’ve mumbled “mmm-hmmmm” while washing dishes, cooking dinner, hanging out laundry or… yes, I will admit, working on the computer and texting. I like this challenge!
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I love this! Those eye to eye looks of love are so important and really set the tone for the rest of the interractions.
Very Simple but so important!!!
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hi Ness,
I love this series. Please could I share this series on my blog with link to your original posts?
Hello Asma, thank you for your kind words about this series. I am writing a reply to your Facebook message now.