Why is quality family time important?

Mums Tips

Parenting Skills

Published on Friday, 11 October 2013 11:41

Last Updated on 11 October 2013

Monica Costa

0 Comments

With today’s busy lifestyles, many parents want to spend more “quality” time with their children.

But what is quality time?

“Quality time” is time spent doing an activity that is meaningful to the parent and child. It is time when family members really get to know each other. Quality time is spent focusing attention on the other person and sharing thoughts and feelings.

Why is it important to make time for family?

• Spending time together enjoying fun activities is associated with kids and parents having a stronger emotional bond. These activities don’t have to cost money.

• The simplest activities they your family enjoys and does together counts as quality family time.

• Spending time as a family is associated with better communication amongst family members and children.

• Kids who spend time communicating with their parents tend to do better at school.

• Teenagers who are actively spending family time with parents tend to have less behavioural problems.

• Spending time with our children can be fun and educational for us and for them.

Lots of the child’s basic learning takes place in the informal daily situations of family life, i.e. getting dressed, talking over the day’s happenings, dealing with problems, interacting with people outside the family, taking baths, eating, and so forth.

The activity does not need to be costly, but rather one that satisfies both the parent and the child.

Inspiration for family time activities

1) Cooking and eating meals together: start preparing a simple recipe with the kids and then get them to set the table and eat together. “A family that dines together stays together” is a phrase that I have heard for years. Having a meal with your children away from distractions such as the TV and cell phones can help start those conversations that you would like to, or need to have with your children.

2) Household chores: kids love cleaning and gardening so why not involving them in such a useful activity. Doing it together will be more fun for everyone.

3) Art & craft activities: this is one of my personal favourites. We have created so much art from junk and had the most amazing results both in bonding and in developing creative skills.

4) Storytelling corner: Create a corner in your house dedicated to reading. You can surround yourselves with inspiring objects such as teddies, candles, cushions and of course lots of books to choose from. Just read a story or two with your child or children at least once a week. You can also take turns to act the parts of the characters from the stories. All members of the family can play a role from a story. This is the cheapest activity and probably one of the most meaningful ones.

5) Holiday: A holiday is undoubtedly one of the best opportunity for parents to bond with their kids. Being away from home can be so refreshing. Christmas is now approaching and you could take a break from the hectic school term routines and work schedules to spend some quality time with the family. There are some fabulous family New Year breaks at Butlins where you could party together and enjoy also sporting activities as well as creative arts and crafts sessions.

Children will not forget meaningful one-on-one time.