Are You Spending Enough Time With Your Child?

Your children can be around you all day, but if you don't spend quality time with them and you don't pay attention to them and talk to them and listen to them, it doesn't matter that they're just around you. ~Brandy Norwood

Every parent, once in a while, asks himself this question: “Am I spending enough time with my child?”

As working parents, we all can never spend enough time with our children, and that is the problem that sometimes makes me feel a little bit guilty about myself. I don’t know if parents should be guilty about spending a little less time with their kids, but I know one thing for sure, we can definitely spend some more time. I am not saying that you are spending enough time with kids (who am I to judge), I am only saying that we can always find more time for our children.

First of all, let me just clarify why spending a little bit more time with your child might be a good idea. Do you remember the last time your kid was out there playing with an outdoor playground equipment and you were there with him? Most parents just rely on the nannies or the guardians when it comes to watching the kids. But your nanny shouldn’t be spending much time with your kid, you should be the one.

“What does immortality mean to me? That we all want more time; and we want it to be quality time.”~Joan D. Vinge

Many researchers usually highlight the words “quality time” when speaking about spending time with children. For most parents quality time is more time, however the true definition of “quality time” is far away from the meaning that most folks deduce out of the words. “Quality time” is more than just spending time with your kids; it’s about how you spend that time with the kids. There is a difference between when you play backyard soccer with your children, and when you just watch your kids play with the commercial playground equipment from the distance.

It’s all about being more involved with your kids. Simply watching your kids from the distance is not spending time with them. Most parents, especially mothers watch their kids play as they busy themselves with their tablets or smart phones. If you really wish to be more involved with your child’s life, or spend quality time with him, then you need to consider your schedule and his schedule. This is where the work-life-balance comes in. One important thing to remember here is that you want to be involved with your kid, but not too involved. Give them space so they can do things their way, but at the same time do not leave them on their own with zero guidance.

How do you spend more time with your kids? Do you have any ideas or suggestions that can help other parents spend more time with their kids? Share your opinion with us through the comment section below.