Let’s confront it—life is busy! Between work & life responsibilities, the days pass us by in the blink of an eye. Many parents worry that they don’t give sufficient time to their kids, wondering if this will cause developmental delays. Some parents feel sad about working full time or encounter anxiety about choosing to work out at the gym /go to dinner with buddies. Social media posts from stay-at-home parents who can take their kids to the local zoo or work on colors & the alphabet with them only add to this concern. But have no discouragement! A recent study questions the impact the number of time mothers spend with their children has on their children’s academic achievement, behavior, and emotional well-being. This is not to ignore the importance of time spent with kids, but rather to strengthen the point that quality of time is much more valuable than quantity. Kids need high-quality time with parents & this is what is most beneficial to children & what can positively affect them as they grow—it is about how you choose to spend that time that truly matters. So it is important to understand as a parent to understand how to spend more time with your child.
As parents & caregivers, we can make selections to ensure time spent with our children is high-quality.
9 TIPS ON HOW TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR CHILD
- Have a daily “We” time with your child. Do this face-to-face, if possible; but if this isn’t an option, create a habit for doing so in other ways, such as leaving a note in your child’s lunch bag, posting a message by his toothbrush, or writing a hopeful saying on a shared whiteboard in the home.
- Create a special ritual for you & your child—something that can be done daily. For example, let your child choose & read one book with you at bedtime.
- Tell your kid you love her every day. And tell her how valuable she is to you & how she makes you feel.
- Reinforce positive behavior. For example, if your child finishes his chores without your asking, recognize it with words of thankfulness.
5. Make & eat meals with your kids whenever possible. If time is limited, look for simplistic meals that require very little preparation, or grab a healthful snack such as an apple and sit for a few minutes and chat with your kid.
6. Make time for doing an activity of your child’s choosing. Be sure to follow through & complete the activity without any diversions.
7. Engage with your child, even if it’s during bath time or outside before you drop her off at preschool. Every little bit of time makes a positive impact!
8. Laugh & be silly with your kid.
9. Switch off technology when you spend time with your kid. Try not to text, answer calls, scroll in social media, or watch television.
Connections are about the quality of time, not the quantity of time. Please keep it simple & connect with your kid in ways that make sense for your lifestyle & relationship. Each connection has a lasting impact & provides the support and reassurance that your child needs. Hope this article on how to spend more time with your child.
For more, visit parenting tips for toddlers
