The Gift of Being Present::Parent-Child Date Ideas In and Around Colorado Springs

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I was watching my daughter as she slept on the couch. Her soft little face, angelic and peaceful. Her chubby little hand grasped tightly around the leg of her favorite toy, a stuffed blue bunny named Bun-Bun. She seemed so tiny and fragile, and then in the blink of an eye, she was almost grown. A sixteen year old young adult, who just started her junior year of high school this week, who’s legs are so long that the couch struggles to contain her whole body.

Where did the time go?

In our hectic lives, it’s easy to rush through our days leaving them behind in a frantic blur. Racing on to the next day and the next responsibility and before we know it, years have literally passed.

Parent-Child Dates

“The days are long, but the years are short.” ~ Gretchen Rubin

Some of my children’s favorite memories are of little one-on-one dates I would take them on, or that they would go on with their father. Whether we just went to breakfast alone without the family, or on a long drive to catch up without the interruption of others, our alone time was precious and we all still remember those moments fondly.

Going on a parent-child date is about being fully present with your child. Taking the time to truly enjoy your children (regardless of their ages) laughing, playing and listening to their stories, is not only valuable to them, but the benefits to your health and well-being are both immediate and long-term. Even if it sometimes feels like your kids are shaving years off your life, some studies have discovered that the life expectancies of parents can sometimes be 30% greater than the life expectancies of their child-free friends. Time is the very best gift you can give your child, so turn off your phone, immerse yourself in the moment and allow yourself to enjoy your children!

Kid friendly fun can be found in and around every corner of Colorado Springs! Here are just a few suggestions, many of which you’ll only be able to enjoy in and around the Springs…have fun!

OUTDOORSY FUN

EXPLORER’S FUN

PLAYFULLY ARTISTIC

EDUCATIONAL

BREATHLESS-GIGGLE INDUCING FUN

A HOLE IN ONE

SUPER ADVENTUROUS

PROPERLY FANCY

ATHLETIC

What are some fun places you go for parent-child dates?  I would love to hear your favorites!

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Tammy O
Tammy is a corporate trainer and design and development specialist by day and an art loving painter (both water and oil), all-around artist, blogger, wife and mom by night. Although she was born in Missouri, Colorado Springs has been her home for most of her life. Tammy and her husband have been together for 14 years and have two beautiful children, Brandon (19) and Kaeli (16). They both love to hike, bike and travel. Her kids are a little more outdoorsy than they are, spending their weekends hiking, camping and cliff jumping. As they get older, they have watched their friends navigate the empty nest, both successfully and unsuccessfully. In an effort to prepare for this inevitability, Tammy began a local blog, Date Your Spouse Colorado Springs to discuss the importance of nurturing your relationship through continued courtship right here in Colorado Springs. You can learn a little bit more about Tammy on her blog or at her art website. She looks forward to sharing some local tips for Springs moms and learning a few from you.