The Snuggle-Time Solution

Cindy Jepson, Arizona

Awhile ago, my husband’s job required him to travel a lot. We knew it wouldn’t be permanent and that he was doing what needed to be done to support our family, but our girls and I missed him. I prayed for help to get through this time period.

While listening to talk radio one day, I heard an idea that was new to me about parent-child relationships. I learned that bedtime is a good time to connect with children because most will do anything to stay up a little longer. Although my fuse was often pretty short at night, I decided to give it a try. I’d spend 10 to 15 minutes of one-on-one time with each of our girls. While I was visiting with one, the others could lie quietly in bed and look at books, waiting their turns. I began to enjoy this quiet time snuggling with each one in my rocking chair. We talked about anything that was on their mind. I often had opportunities to talk about the gospel and share my testimony with them.

Snuggle time helped to fill some of the void we felt when my husband was traveling. The prompting to focus on each child individually was an answer to my prayers.