If you have more than 1 DC, how and when do you manage to initiate 1:1 time?

[Bednobsandbroomsticks]

As the above, I have 2 DC and never spend quality time 1:1 with either one.

I stagger bedtimes, which gives me half an hour every day with each DD (I have three).

They also go to different activities, which gives me a bit more time 1:1 sometimes!

The younger goes to bed half an hour earlier and that half-hour is sacred time for my oldest. The younger gets focused time pre his bedtime while my oldest quietly plays.

Staggered bedtimes as others have aid. I don't work on Friday S so spent time with youngest while eldest at school, will be just afternoons now. Eldest gets to stay up late on Saturdays (8.30/9 ish) and watch something with me like strictly .

We also stagger (and or take turns) with bed time, they do different activities which we take turns so it may even just be the drive in the car for chatting...

Staggered bedtimes and managed/staggered after school activities. If DH or I is popping out to do a quick errand then we take one child along, trying to make sure it's not the same child each time! We have special 1-2-1 outings (cinema, bowling, museum, whatever the child's interests are) with each child one a month minimum. We also keep an eye on how everyone is doing emotionally and if we think any child in particular is a little bit sidelined for any reason then we make an effort to make sure that child gets some additional 1-2-1 time, we call it "putting some time into the

*with each child once a month minimum

The way I'd typed it made it seem that they take turns to have one special outing a month but it's actually one each, every month

I had three, and always wish I had spent more time with the middle one. Youngest was a very demanding toddler who got lots of attention, eldest had lots of time with reading books and home work, and stayed up later anyway. I would sometimes go to say goodnight to the middle one, sit chatting to him in his bedroom, and think " This is the first time all day I've talked to him properly......." I really regret it now, and wish I had found a way to spend time with him on his own.

I’m glad you posted this OP as I have been wondering the same thing. I’ve recently become a single parent and really struggling to work out how to spend 1:1 time. I have Friday afternoons off but otherwise work FT and my youngest will now be in pre school full time.

It looks like staggered bedtimes is the way to go - I might try and push my eldest’s a bit later, but he doesn’t like being on his own so I always rush the littlest or he interrupts.

Hope there might be some more ideas along soon!