Buy some water guns and balloons and spend a hot Saturday afternoon cooling off. And whatever you do, don't be a martyr. Find an activity that is pleasing to both you and your child and watch as your enjoyment of each other soars to new heights. Give undivided attention. Basically, you and I both know that doesn't work.
Babies demand our undivided attention.
Of course, we don't allow that kind of behavior from our children once they're old enough to understand the concept of patience, nor should we. And yet older kids need our undivided attention, too. They may have to wait five minutes or two hours until we've finished whatever it is we're doing, but once we turn our attention to them, they need to feel we're theirs and theirs alone. When our children are telling us about their day at school, or lamenting a friendship gone sour, or explaining in painstaking detail the cool new video game a best friend just bought, it's tempting to nod now and then as we prepare dinner or fold laundry. But if we want to use the opportunity to really bond with our kids, looking them in the eyes and giving our undivided attention work wonders.