#AtoZChallenge: L is for List of Things to do with your Kids

Life’s better with the kids.

Yes, dad needs downtime. He’s got to write these posts and, oh, earn a living and stuff. And sometimes, he coaches other people’s kids and even goes out to play disc golf. Really, though, those times we sing AC/DC in the car or crash the Taco Bell happy hour, those are the best of times.

As a dad, I’ve washed my car inside and out with my girls. I’ve taught them to score a baseball game. I’ve coached them in soccer, which changed them almost as much as it changed me.

If you’ve just brought home your first baby or maybe you’re looking for ways to find quality time with your kids, especially girls, here’s a look at my list:

Camp

Choose a spot. Pitch a tent. Grill a meal. Cast a line. Tell some stories. Play card games. Gaze at stars. Take a hike. Be still together. Be active together. Plan another trip.

Celebrate

Bring home cake. Bake some cookies. Go to dinner. Invite her friends. Dole out high fives.

Clean

Wash the car. Sort their clothes. Sort yours too. Find a fixer-upper. Have a yard sale. Spend the profits. Donate a portion. Work alongside them. Take breaks. With snacks.

Coach

Lead her team. Learn the sport. Make it fun. Teach them skills. Teach them teamwork. Find eye level. Find your voice. Find your style. Solicit their thoughts. Talk the game.

Color

Clear your deck. Lay on the floor. Check out her work. Ask her opinion. Take your time. Talk it out. Lose yourself a little. Sign your work. Take hers to work.

Cook

Get her a stool. Find her a chef’s hat. Pick recipes together. Let her experiment. Show her how. Ask her questions. Answer hers. Create a ‘cooking show.’

Dream

Share your dreams. Ask about hers. Write them down. Keep them in a dream box. Revisit often. Don’t abandon them.

Eat

Discover your favorites. Cook at home. Find your restaurant. Take it outside. Establish pizza night. Fire up the grill. Put away your phone. Watch a game.

Fish

Hook her worm. Let her try. Practice patience. Show her how. Try new spots. Get out early. Pack copious snacks. Take copious pictures.

Listen

Close your laptop. Put phone down. Maintain eye contact. Reassure her. Ask her questions. Make her laugh. Share your stories. Reveal your fears. Smile and nod. Kiss her forehead.

Love

Make yourself vulnerable. Talk it out. Demonstrate when possible. Model sincerity. Show her patience. Show her how. Learn from her.

Read

Pick a book. Read out loud. Use funny voices. Ask her questions. Give her a turn. Find a comfy spot. Discover a series. Suggest book titles. Remember what you read at her age.

Relax

Slow down. Carve time out. Unplug. Connect with her. Get a hammock. Play catch. Find a pastime to share. Share your playlists. Ask about hers. Whittle sticks together. Skip rocks.

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Ride

Let her pick the station. Sing along if you can. Share your music. Share the silence. Ask her questions. Offer your opinions. Ask about hers. Teach her to drive. Trust in her.

Root

Stay loyal to your team. Let her pick hers. Razz her on game day. Get her a ball cap. And a mitt. Let her dream. You dream too. Consider a jersey. With her name.

Run

Buy her shoes. Take a chance. Wake up early. Hit the trails. Match her pace. If you can. Enter a race. With your girl. Tackle the hills. Watch her go.

Think

Share your thoughts. Ask her opinion. Listen to NPR. Make her, too. For just a while. Hear her out. Offer your opinion. Think out loud. Respect the silence.

Throw

Teach her a spiral. And fastball. Emulate your favorites. Help her find hers. Give running commentary. Go long.

Score

Win her prizes. Take her to festivals. Get box seats. Play video games. Take her on. Don’t go easy. Give fist bumps. Create a handshake. Go to concerts. And museums.

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Struggle

Find a challenge. Take it on. Team up. Learn her struggles. Share your own. Find a way. Make it work. Take on another.

Work

Demonstrate how. Learn from her. Measure your growth. Keep on trucking. Take breaks. Reap the benefits. Become more efficient. Bust your ass. Watch her grow. Love her lots.