I take each of my sons on monthly "special time" dates

"When's my turn for special time, mama?" is the question I love to hear most from my three sons. I've taken each of them on solo dates for nearly a decade, a tradition they call 'special time' and one of my favorite ways to connect as they grow. It began shortly after my oldest turned three, when his younger brother was one and required constant attention.

After he said he'd rather play with "dada" than me, I started carving out about an hour—often once a month—to be alone with him, usually walking around a local lake. When the oldest began part-time state education, I used school hours for a similar routine with the middle child: walks, feeding ducks, anything that got us out of the house so I could give undivided attention.

We couldn't spend much, so activities were free and simple. With my third, I often just sat and colored with him or took him for one-dollar mini hot chocolates at a nearby coffee shop, which felt like the best treat to him.

special time, solo dates, monthly dates, one-on-one, undivided attention, parenting tradition, lake walks, feeding ducks, coloring together, hot chocolate