Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame. If you are ever fortunate enough to get your 15 minutes of fame, I’m sure it will be a feeling you never forget. For that small amount of time everything you do or say seems to be the most important thing in the world, people listen when you talk. Having the respect and admiration of millions would be amazing, but it would be merit less without the respect and admiration of your parents.

A long time ago I was told that if I could give my child 15 minutes a day of undivided attention, she would always remember and treasure those moments. The 15 minutes of fame is what I call it. You may say "15 minutes does not seem like very long". When you stop and really think about it, between church, TV, computers, telephones, jobs, laundry, dishes, school, daycare, friends, family, husbands, wives, homework, recreational activities, and just life, 15 minutes can be hard to come by.

A few weeks ago my son, then three years old, asked me "do you remember when we made cookies and the babies were still in your tummy"? It was then that I was reminded of the importance of our 15 minutes, I was touched by his memory and saddened that it had been so long since we spent that time baking cookies together. I have been extremely busy over the past year, with the business, husband, teenager, toddler, and twins, so the 15 minutes of fame has become less of a priority. This year 2008 I am placing that time with my children very high on the priority list, and I would like to challenge you to do the same. The time should be spent doing something the child enjoys and do not answer your phone during this time. Some people may suggest turning your phone off, but I say leave it on and if it rings tell your child" I’ll call them back, this is more important".

Another little tip is to not set a timer and don’t ask your children "What do you want to do? Hurry up this is the only time you get today!" As far as our children know this time is not scheduled, you just happened to say yes when your child asked if you would play a game. Sometimes it is hard to think of things to do; below I give a few suggestions, choose the age appropriate ones for your child. The older your child is the harder it gets, remember quality time is better that quantity.

• Kick or throw a ball

• Bake cookies, let them ice them

• Mommy and me gymnastic classes

• Blow bubbles

• Play with balloons

• Play with play doe

• Fly a kite

• Play board games with them

• Let them teach you a song you already know

• Go swimming

• Color pictures together and hang on refrigerator

• Go outside and have races, No, it should not be a race to take out the trash

• Build something together a birdhouse, or a playhouse (this can take a few days or weeks)

• Play video games together (not all the time)

• Give your daughter a makeover

• Let your daughter give you a makeover

• Paint a picture

• Through a football, or shoot hoops

• Teach your child to Dance or let them teach you the hottest new dance moves

• Read a book

• Join fantasy football

• Go shopping

• Take pottery making classes

• Do crafts together sew something, build a model etc….

• Play tic tac toe

• Plant a garden, pull weeds together, then let them pick the produce

• Let them tell you a story and type it up as a children’s book

• Scrap booking

• Help them make a meal for mommy or daddy or grandparents

• Auto repair ( you can do it alone in 30 min., but take the extra 15 to let them help)

• Karaoke

• Join the earnyourfuture.com program

• You don't always have to do something, just sitting together and chatting is good. They may need to just have that closeness with your and share there thoughts.

• The list could go on and on, the key is to let them choose the activity you just participate.