Spending quality time

Kids are actually quite straightforward in their needs and wants.

They crave & thrive when they get quality time with their loved ones.

Their behaviour is influenced by the amount of quality time with their loved ones.

Not spending enough time with your kids is one of the popular guilt ridden burdens that every parent carries.

It’s important to be mindful that it isn’t so much the nature of the activity but the quality and amount of interaction and communication.

It’s the quality of the interactions that boosts their development and well-being.

Research has even stated that the amount of time kids spend in childcare or away from their family doesn’t itself cause problems.

What does concern kids is if their parents are stressed and cranky all the time, especially if this time is limited.

Is it a trip to the shops? Is it watching TV together? Is it reading books, talking or doing activities together?

It is actually all of the those if it entails you doing it with your child in a positive way.

It isn’t so much the nature of the activity but the quality and amount of interaction and communication that happens.

For kids even the repetition of everyday routines allows for quality time, it doesn’t have to be a special outing or new toy.

It’s about making yourself available whenever kids approach you and giving them the attention they want.

If you make every interaction a positive one, even in the mundane tasks like getting ready for school, then it’s a good time and experience for the child.

Instead of asking or telling your child to wait a minute stop and pay attention to them.