Remember the good old days when you could brag about being a multitasking mom? I can pack lunches, pay my bills, listen to a story about playground drama, and get my workout in—all at the same time! Look at me! Then research came out that said multitasking is actually counterproductive and the skill we’d been perfecting for years became a detriment. Add in some guilt about staring at your phone while your child is talking about his day, and multitasking is officially a big no-no.
But last week, while I was cooking with my son and talking about fractions, I realized multitasking and mothering will always go hand in hand. It’s a necessity, and it’s not all bad. In fact, if you’re not taking advantage of these 5 opportunities to multitask with your kids, you’re missing out.
1. Catch and a Chat
A friend said that one day when she was playing catch with her son, she noticed the relaxed motion of throwing back and forth naturally led to the back and forth of a conversation. Similarly, pick the physical activity you want (or need) to do and see what conversations pop up. I made my sons pull weeds with me one afternoon, and it led to a teaching moment on how issues can start small but grow out of control.
2. Gaming and Guiding
When I finally broke down and played Among Us with my sons, I asked them how they felt about having to lie to their opponents (many of whom were sitting right next to them on the couch). We talked about deception and how it can be hard to trust people who lie.
Every video game has a villain, an obstacle to overcome, or wins and losses. Gaming might not be your favorite way to pass the time, but it’s a natural conversation starter about character traits, like honesty, fairness, and courage.
3. Burdens and Blessings
When my kids grumble about having to put away their laundry, I’m quick to remind them they should be grateful they have clean clothing. But why wait ’til they complain to point out how much you have to be grateful for? As I prep dinner I can say, “It’s great that we have fresh food to put on the table.” As we struggle through homework, I can tell my son, “I’m glad you go to a school that challenges you academically.”
Pointing out the blessings in everyday tasks is a great way to help your child develop a mindset of gratitude and growth instead of negativity.
4. Stories and Scenarios
My great aunt used to watch her “stories” every day. General Hospital and Days of Our Lives were her favorites. I can’t say there were a lot of good lessons for kids hidden in the soaps, but as you watch your kids’ favorite shows or read stories in books, look for opportunities to ask questions that will give you a peek inside your kids’ minds.
“What would you do in that situation?” “That girl is pretty mean. Are there kids at school who act like that?” “How do you think they made that machine do that?” You might have to pause the show or grab a bookmark, but don’t miss out on chances to use your kids’ interests to get to know them better.
5. Drive and Discuss
This is the ultimate multitasking mom moment. You’ve probably heard that car rides are the optimal time to strike up a conversation with your kids, especially teens and especially boys. Not being face to face and having a time limit help kids open up.
Next time you’re on your way home from school, roll out one of our after-school conversation starters. After the baseball game, instead of talking about how you’re going to have to scrub the clay out of his pants, ask your son how he thinks the kid who made a bad play is feeling. Think about how much time you spend in the car with your kids. That’s quality convo time, so don’t waste another trip.
Think about how much time you spend in the car with your kids. That’s quality convo time, so don’t waste another trip. Click To TweetAre you a multitasking mom in a good way? What do you do to teach your kids in the midst of your mom duties?
