Maximizing quality time with kids
Ever so frequently, parents lament having just 24 hours a day, and unfortunately, we spend 9-12 hours at work (Including traveling), 6-8 hours at sleep, leaving just 6 hours or less of quality time with our family. For some parents that are fortunate enough to be a homemaker, most of the hours are spent on household chores.
What defines quality time? How many hours spent are deemed sufficient?
Definitely, opinions differ widely for individuals with various parenting styles. Some parents may prefer long heart to heart talk, some may prefer planned activities, such as walks in parks, picnics or ball games. There are even parents that may spend hours reading and studying along with their children ensuring they are well prepared for academic challenges. Ir-respect of the definition, I hope this post is able to provide some ideas of optimizing our limited hours and stretching some of the opportunities of bonding and our presence with each other beyond even our physical presence.
Time spent together does not equates constructive time spent and will not in turn transform into any meaningful benefit for either party. In order to ensure quality time is optimized, we need to make effort to ensure activities are occupying the "space".
Eg. Communicating over dinner time, instead of eating in silence, singing together while traveling instead of staring into space while in a car, chit chatting while doing the laundry together.
This is where the real time stretching happens. Nowadays, it's common for anyone to own a smart phone, with inbuilt camera and recording functions. Frequently, the phone is put to use shooting photographs and videos when we witness or experience something interesting. These tools could be put to better use during our family quality time. Eg. capturing the videos of the baby's first steps, moments when we are teaching and repeating words to our toddlers learning their first words, chatting and explaining situations with our kids over difficult situations, outings to the zoo, park or ball game sessions together. Best opportunity would probably be moments of bedtime stories together.
These captured videos/audios can be in turn recorded into CDs or tapes and replayed to the children by the caregiver while we are away at work, or occupied with our chores. This would allow our children time to replay moments that had happen, and repeat the messages that parents have shared. Concurrently, the children continue to experience the bond with the familiar voices and images of the parents interacting with them, thereby stretching our quality time with the kids. Similarly, we could replay the bedtime stories recordings if we cannot afford the time on some of the nights to put the kids to bed.
With what is shared, we could see that though the list is just a brief 3 pointers, conscious efforts and time needs to be invested to optimize our time and quality. Perhaps it would be easier if we incorporate this into our manner and habits, and it could only be possible if we make the effort to start immediately. I guess, this is part and parcel of Intentional Parenting.
I wish you success.
What defines quality time? How many hours spent are deemed sufficient?
Definitely, opinions differ widely for individuals with various parenting styles. Some parents may prefer long heart to heart talk, some may prefer planned activities, such as walks in parks, picnics or ball games. There are even parents that may spend hours reading and studying along with their children ensuring they are well prepared for academic challenges. Ir-respect of the definition, I hope this post is able to provide some ideas of optimizing our limited hours and stretching some of the opportunities of bonding and our presence with each other beyond even our physical presence.
- Fill up the time together with quality activities.
Time spent together does not equates constructive time spent and will not in turn transform into any meaningful benefit for either party. In order to ensure quality time is optimized, we need to make effort to ensure activities are occupying the "space".
Eg. Communicating over dinner time, instead of eating in silence, singing together while traveling instead of staring into space while in a car, chit chatting while doing the laundry together.
2. Plan/inject purpose or meaning into the activities.
Activities with a meaningful purpose helps to ensure proper optimization of the time together. A family could be singing a song together while traveling, however, the objective of the activity could be more beneficial if it's properly selected. Eg. The kids could benefit from songs such as ABC, Incy Wincy spider or 10 Little Indian Boy more than just la-laing a tune to a song. An afternoon of hands on craft work together might allow more bonding, communication opportunity and creative building than watching television programs together.3. Capture the live moments of activity time.
This is where the real time stretching happens. Nowadays, it's common for anyone to own a smart phone, with inbuilt camera and recording functions. Frequently, the phone is put to use shooting photographs and videos when we witness or experience something interesting. These tools could be put to better use during our family quality time. Eg. capturing the videos of the baby's first steps, moments when we are teaching and repeating words to our toddlers learning their first words, chatting and explaining situations with our kids over difficult situations, outings to the zoo, park or ball game sessions together. Best opportunity would probably be moments of bedtime stories together.
These captured videos/audios can be in turn recorded into CDs or tapes and replayed to the children by the caregiver while we are away at work, or occupied with our chores. This would allow our children time to replay moments that had happen, and repeat the messages that parents have shared. Concurrently, the children continue to experience the bond with the familiar voices and images of the parents interacting with them, thereby stretching our quality time with the kids. Similarly, we could replay the bedtime stories recordings if we cannot afford the time on some of the nights to put the kids to bed.
With what is shared, we could see that though the list is just a brief 3 pointers, conscious efforts and time needs to be invested to optimize our time and quality. Perhaps it would be easier if we incorporate this into our manner and habits, and it could only be possible if we make the effort to start immediately. I guess, this is part and parcel of Intentional Parenting.
I wish you success.
Comments