Quality Time with Children

It’s true, we spend less and less time with our kids and the time that we spend with them, we are distracted, rushed and wish we were somewhere else. Then we spend the next four hours feeling guilty about how we’ve treated them and not spending enough time with them, only to vow to make it better next time.

Stop the insanity. The trick to spending time with your kids is to make sure that you connect with them. A great way to remove yourself from the day to day madness and spend an hour with your little ones outside. If it’s at all practical, try spending two to three hours a week with each child individually as well as spending time with them as a family. Take time to get to know who your children are. They are individuals, not just an extension of you. Find out what they like, what they want to be when they grow up, and what they are afraid of. The amount of time you spend with a your children is less important than how you spend what precious time you have. Your kids will be more appreciative of you if you truly want to spend thirty minutes with them rather than hanging out with them for an hour, wishing you were somewhere else.

Try to ensure that the time you spend with your kids is pressure free. There is enough pressure on our kids during the normal course of the day and they, too, are looking for a place where they can escape and just be kids. Let them find that peace and sanctuary with you when they are small and they will continue to come to you and not turn to drugs, sex, or friends when they are big.