IT IS so easy in this busy life to forget about spending quality time with our children. The days are filled with work, school, after-school clubs, homework, shopping and running a home. It is not unusual that we forget how to ‘hang out’ together.

Of course ,quality time doesn’t have to be an expensive affair, as the simplest things can make us happy.

We do live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and we are blessed with fells, lakes, rivers and lots of outdoor space to explore. Just packing a simple picnic and taking off to one of these places is a simple way to spend quality time together.

My top 10 ways to spend quality time with my family are:

- snuggling up on the settee together to watch a DVD (great for wet, windy days)

- walking by the river, over a fell, through the woods

- taking a bike ride – short or long

- baking together – anything from banana bread to fairy cakes

- sharing a book

-a trip to the seaside/lakeside (taking the bus or train makes it more of an adventure for younger children).

- making and sharing a picnic

- visiting a museum, gallery, or cinema

- pottering around the garden

- giving a facial, manicure or face painting for little ones.

Obviously the list is endless and you can write your own with things that you and your family enjoy doing together. You can make a wish list of things you would like to do together and plan to do them in the future.

See: www.parentandbabycoach.co.uk

NEXT WEEK: Treating children the way you like to be treated.