Many parents feel under pressure to make special time with their children. However, they do not realise that often it is the routine, the day-to-day things that make the most impact. Here are some tips on how to share quality time with your child by making a few adjustments to your schedule each day.
Have Breakfast Together
Get up 10 minutes earlier and have breakfast with your children. Use the opportunity to talk about the day ahead when everybody is rested. Also, they get to learn the discipline of mealtime.
Do Household Jobs Together
Children find some household chores very enjoyable. Washing the car, cooking and watering plants go down particularly well. Children love to mess about and what are 'chores' for you can often be enjoyable activities for your children.
Spend Leisure Time Together
Try to find leisure time activities that all of you will enjoy and ones that you can do together. Why not watch the same T.V. programme, share some treats, do art/crafts or go for a walk/cycle? Children don't always need to be talking to enjoy being with their parents. Outdoor games such as football and cricket can also be great fun for everybody, whether you are up to being part of a team or just keeping score or acting as referee.
Put the Children to Bed
Try to make sure you are around at least twice a week to put the children to bed. If they are young enough, read them a story or just catch up on what happened in their day. It helps them wind down and get ready for sleep.
Plan Family Events and Occasions Together
Involve children in planning birthday parties, social events, weekly schedules and family holidays. Children love exploring brochures and writing lists. Remember, if children feel they are contributing, it makes them feel important.
Play Games
Board games and card games are a great way for the family to interact. Try to get games that everybody enjoys, not ones that are a chore to play. Your children will enjoy seeing you enjoy yourself. Why not create your own game by organising a treasure hunt?
Help with Homework
Try to be available for some homework or try to help with a project. Homework gives an opportunity to learn about school and what's happening in school.
Talk Openly About the Day
Don't always expect your children to talk. They want to hear about your day too. They will love to hear about your work or activities and it is important to set an atmosphere in the house where everybody feels comfortable talking about how they are feeling.
Points to Remember When Planning Quality Time
Discussion ideas for parents
AB1to1 on 23 Oct 2024, 16:24 PM
I really liked the narrative of quality time in family especially the Jobs to be done and how children see this. We are in the time of digitalization and globalization where we can see anything on social media (Trends, news etc.) so its good to discuss with children to know more about their feelings and lives.kevinzac on 05 Jul 2022, 14:40 PM
Vell clear and informative.rinki2222 on 26 Jul 2018, 12:57 PM
very useful informationprassu_suri on 14 Nov 2017, 15:38 PM
very informative.. Thank you