Are You Spending Quality Time with Your Kids

Most of us are familiar with the elusive nature of ‘Time’. Despite being a precious commodity we always seem to be wishing for more time to make a cup of coffee, to get accustomed to a new job or a new house, to take care of a new baby and a host of other things. The list is endless. Parents are often found to complain about the lack of having enough time on their hands as- “We need more. We want more. But we feel we just don’t have enough of it”. All parents are aware of the fact that spending quality time with children is extremely important for the development and happiness of their child.

The time spent with them doesn’t have to be elaborate or long, but it must be full. If you find your child giving you “subtle” hints of the way they feel that points out to you’re not giving them the attention that they need, its time you slowed down and took time off from work. As a parent, if you come across symptoms like, your child becoming cranky, fighting with another classmate or used attention seeking methods like increased crying, throwing tantrums or even bed-wetting, then you can take it for granted that your child is using this as a means of capturing your attention, so that they can enjoy “quality” time with you. The best way to find time when you feel you don’t have any to spend can be answered by doing something you both enjoy. This could mean going to a movie, going to the local art theater to watch a theatrical play, watching a match together at home or at the stadium or just sitting at the park on a bench and talking.

The frequency and the quality of one-on-one time is up to you. Make children a part of your daily routine, whether it is to post a letter, or to pick up something from the nearby grocery store, or even if it is just to put stamps on the envelope – Anytime can be “fun time.” You could also write notes and drop them into their lunch boxes to give them that special feeling of being loved and they will look back and remember that “before dinner” was always special time with you. Be with them, show them the latest in technology, play the latest games with them, without forgetting to teach them the traditional games like chess, and carom. Spending time with your children provides them with opportunities to learn and to be heard. Most of all, it provides you and your children with time to connect. It’s these connections that make your children feel loved.