This post was originally published 2/11/12. I’m reposting today in honor of my daughter Allie’s 6th birthday!
As I was sitting with her one day at lunch, I had the idea that other moms might be struggling with this as well. Our daughters need our attention or they’ll look for it elsewhere.
1.) Have a “nail painting” party
2.) Have a tea party.
If your daughter is anything like mine, she hosts a tea party at least 5 times a week with her stuffed animals. Why not join her? I did this a few weeks ago, and she was SUCH a good hostess! She made sure all of the animals and I were served before herself. I always learn something fun when just sitting down and chatting with her. And chatting is something she does well.
3.) Cook with her.
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Allie helping make her own birthday cake
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4.) Interview her over lunch or dessert.
(These options are much cheaper than dinner!)
I took Allie to lunch and wrote down several questions:
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
“Kittyland”. (Not sure where that is, but it sounds fun!)
I also asked her what her favorite food EVER was.
Her answer? Daddy’s omelets.
So the blood, sweat and tears I put into cooking good meals, and daddy’s omelets are her favorite?
Not fair, I tell ya! {In all seriousness, his omelets are good!}
5.) Take her to forever21 and give her a budget.
It can be as little as $3 and she’ll be able to get at least one jewelry item! We have done this a few times and it’s always fun letting her pick out stuff.
She only changes her mind about 50 times, but I stick with the budget and she is happy with her final choice.
Examples:
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This hat was fun.
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I love this pic! Captures her fun-loving personality.
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I really, really wanted these shoes. But they were very tall. And $30. For a girl who spent $12 on her wedding shoes, I knew that was too steep for a pair I wouldn’t wear that much. But they were awesome.
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Oh, I also let her pick her outfit out today.
Her outfit did not look much different from some of the ones in F21!
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Like this post? Be sure to follow eat pray {read} love on Pinterest for more creative frugal ideas.
About Kelli Hays
Well she really has her own style going. I love this list of ideas to do with your daughter. A few where on my list for a mother daughter day I’m planing. We need some girls time really bad.
What great ideas! I have to say that having a little girl has been so wonderful – she’s so feminine and sweet, just all around lovely. I adore the time we have together and I cannot wait to spend more quality time as she gets older, she’s 2.5 years old now. One day I hope we can take mom and daughter trips. For now, I look forward to trying your nail painting idea – I know my little one would flip if I painted her toe nails! Really looking forward to that. Thanks for the tips!
Hi! I let my daughter help me in the kitchen anytime I can. From breaking eggs into the bowl, to throwing in an ingredient, she really enjoys helping me. I also teach her to spread butter on toast or mayo on sandwiches and put together her own sandwich. Anytime I can let her participate, it helps her grow her own independence in doing things for herself.
My little gal likes to do a lot of different things in the kitchen, from cooking to washing dishes. She just likes being with me – even if it’s while walking the dog! My older daughter and I have always loved going out for special outings. One of our favorite things to do is to go to a coffee shop and then to go shopping, whether it’s a retail store, thrift store, or yard sale!
I think that’s the key- they just like being with us! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.
I hope my daughters like thrifting when they’re older, too! 🙂
Joell that is great! I love letting my daughter help me cook too. It takes patience, but I think so many girls these days leave home not knowing how to cook. I am so thankful my mom took time to teach me!
My younger daughter is also 2, and it is a fun age! So many new words every day! I hope she enjoys getting her toenails painted. 🙂
Yes, her outfit choices are sometimes interesting. 🙂
I am sure you’ll have fun with your daughter! I am enjoying that mine wants to be with me right now- hopefully that won’t change. 🙂
I LOVE this post! I just put a note in my calendar that I’m going to let my seven year old do MY nails. I’m freaked out about it, but she’ll LOVE it. I’ll probly have her do my toes, I don’t like my fingers painted at all. But I just love this post. My daughter loves rocks, and when weather permits, we go rock hunting. Now that it’s winter, we’ve been hanging out inside, having movie nights, reading days, game time, and LOTS of baking in the kitchen!
I loved reading this. I would have to make a few modifications for when my son is older, but I think it is a great idea to spend time alone with each child. I cannot wait till he is older and we can do this.
I commented via Facebook on this – and think it would be brilliant to ask her those questions every year. It will be so wonderful for you to see what her goals are and how they’ve changed.
These date ideas are so fun, I’m going to get my mom to do some of them with me!
Spending one on one time with your kids is a great thing. I don’t have daughters but I enjoy the one on one time I get with each of my boys. They offer a completely different view on the world and it’s interesting to see their view evolve over time.
Something else my daughter and I do…just Mama and Dottie, is crafts. It’s our one-on-one time and I love it.
I loved this post!! I especially liked the interview her and the Forever 21 idea. Will be adding these to our roster right away. You are right, with all the things we have to do alone time can get squeezed out quickly.
Aww, this post makes me want a daughter! My son is 2 and we find inexpensive ways to have fun with him when we can. Currently, we color together or sing songs while shaking his Mickey Mouse maracas! If we leave the house, we love to visit the park to let him run/climb off some energy.
Daughters are so much fun (so are boys but…)! My daughter who is 8 loves her nails done and shopping. We also love going to Barnes and Noble to waste a couple hours. My son and I go to a cafe and hangout. I try to make time with them each every week. Thanks for the ideas!
I have two daughters (10 and 2) and two sons (14 and 8). My older daughter is just like me, so, oddly enough, we clash. We’re both strong-willed. It’s caused some real wars, but I think we are turning a very big (and encouraging to me) corner. All the drag-em-out moments are slowing down. Like we’re both softening. We are learning to enjoy each other more.
Thank you for the encouragement to plan out time together. My younger daughter gets loads of time just with me, but I really want to purpose time with my big girl more.
Currently, we have been spending a little more time together in the evenings just before bed. We snuggle and talk. It’s not loads of time, but I think we both are enjoying it.
I need to put a date in the calendar.
These are wonderful ideas. I think it’s great that you set aside a time to spend with just your daughter!
What cute ideas! My only baby girl is just 2 years old, but I’ve waited for her my whole life (she has 4 brothers, including one who is her twin), and can’t wait to do more of these! What special fun. Thanks for a fantastic post!