324: Connecting with your kids
Welcome to the Joyful Mom Podcast!
This episode explores how to foster deep connections with children in a large family setting. The host, Megan, who is currently pregnant with her ninth child, reflects on the challenges of ensuring quality one-on-one time with each child when parenting multiple kids. She and her husband, Justin, have developed meaningful traditions that help them connect with each child individually, demonstrating their love and attention in personalized ways.
One of their most cherished traditions is "one-on-one nights," where each child gets dedicated time with their parents. Initially, this was a weekly routine while living in a bus, but now that they are back in Minnesota, it alternates with date nights. These special nights involve games, snacks, or outings to places like Dairy Queen or a golf simulator. The goal is to provide undivided attention to each child, allowing their personalities to shine and strengthening parent-child bonds.
Another simple yet impactful daily tradition is asking their kids, “What was your hard thing and what was your good thing today?” during bedtime. This encourages open communication and reflection while allowing parents to understand their children’s emotions better. Birthdays also follow a structured approach—big celebrations at ages 6, 8, and 10, while other years are marked by a simpler family gathering. Once a child turns 12 (or nearly 13), they get a special trip of their choice with their parents, making for a memorable coming-of-age experience.
Ultimately, this episode highlights the importance of intentional parenting and creating meaningful moments amidst the chaos of raising a large family. Whether through structured traditions or spontaneous moments of connection, these small efforts make a lasting impact on children, reinforcing love, support, and familial bonds.
If you want to learn more about how you can clear anxiety more automatically by rewiring how the mind is working and processing things, go to my website www.meganhillukka.com where you can click on a link to register for my free training, where I will show you what you need in order to do this.
