Making the Best of Your Time with Your Kids: It’s About the Little Things

As a single mom of two daughters, aged 11 and 8, I know firsthand how hard it is to juggle everything. Between work, school runs, meal planning, and those endless to-do lists, it can feel like there’s barely enough time to catch your breath, let alone create magical moments with your kids. But here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t need to be perfect. You’re already doing an incredible job, and the small things—those little moments of connection—are what really matter.

Time is Fleeting (But You’re Not Alone)

I get it. We’ve all been there. There have been days when I’ve felt completely drained, too tired to do anything but throw on a TV show and collapse on the couch. And that’s okay! Parenting is hard, and we’re all just doing the best we can. But in between the chaos, there are moments when I remind myself that my time with my girls won’t last forever. That realization doesn’t make it easier, but it gives me a gentle push to be present when I can.

I remember a rainy Saturday when I was supposed to clean the house, catch up on emails, and deal with laundry—but instead, my girls and I ended up building a giant fort in the living room. We spent hours in that cozy space, telling stories and just being silly. That day, I didn’t accomplish anything on my list, but I created memories with my daughters that I know they’ll hold on to.

Easy Ways to Create Special Moments

It’s important to remember that creating memories doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. Here are a few ways I’ve found to make the most of the time I have with my kids:

1. Make Regular Moments Feel Special Some of the most memorable times with my girls happen during everyday routines. Cooking dinner can become a fun little adventure—let them stir the sauce or pick out the veggies (even if it turns into a mess). It doesn’t matter if the meal isn’t perfect; they’ll remember the laughter, the teamwork, and the fun.
2. Go Outside When You Can I’ve found that heading outside—whether it’s for a quick walk or a full-on adventure at the park—always helps us reset and reconnect. We don’t need an agenda, and we don’t need fancy toys. Just a patch of grass, some sunshine (or even a bit of rain!), and a little imagination go a long way.
3. Create Simple Traditions Traditions don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Every Friday night, my daughters and I have ‘pajama pancake night.’ We make breakfast for dinner, and yes, we do it in our PJs. It’s something simple we can look forward to every week, and it’s a tradition that doesn’t add any stress to my already busy schedule.
4. Follow Their Lead I used to think I had to plan activities for my kids all the time, but I’ve learned that sometimes, the best memories come from letting them take the reins. My 8-year-old loves to draw, and there have been countless afternoons where we’ve just sat on the floor doodling together. It doesn’t need to be complicated—just join them in whatever makes them happy.
5. Unplug When You Can Look, I’m not saying we need to be present 24/7—that’s just not realistic. But once in a while, I remind myself to put the phone down and just engage. Whether it’s building Legos, reading a book together, or just listening to them talk about their day, being fully there, even for a short time, can make a world of difference.

It’s About Doing What You Can, When You Can

I’ll be the first to admit that not every day feels like a win. Some days are harder than others, and that’s okay. What I’ve come to realize is that it’s not about being the “perfect” mom, or about creating grand, picture-perfect moments. It’s about showing up in the ways that work for you, even if it’s just for five minutes at a time. Those little moments add up, and they’re what your kids will carry with them.

So give yourself a break. You’re doing your best, and your best is more than enough. The memories you’re creating—whether they’re big or small—are what really matter.