It's funny how people seem to think that they have spent quality time with their kids after work by bringing them out to the mall for a lifeless and meaningless stroll only to come home with nothing more than a whole bunch of stuff that they (or the kids) don't need. In fact, time has been wasted because kids don't NEED you to bring them out to the shopping mall to waste time. They want and NEED to be with you.
It's really funny because I used to think taking my kids out for a very casual window-shopping trip was meaningful too until someone pointed out to me that my kids were STILL closer to someone else (their daycaregiver) when compared to me. I mean, what is it with kids, anyway? I take them out, don't I? I try my best to give them whatever they want. I buy them presents, don't I? They have more clothes than me, don't they?
But here's the sad part?.that's not quality time.
Quality time with your kids is just staying home with absolutely nothing to do, just lolling around on the carpet watching 'Blue's Clues' or 'Sesame Street' together giving each other nonchalant kisses and exchanging hugs (and repeated reviews about the show). Spending quality time with the kids involve nothing more than just CONNECTING with the kids, not spending detached moments of dis-connectivity loitering through unfamiliar places. It's about spending time connecting with the kids when you KNOW you've GOT SOMETHING ELSE BETTER TO DO.
I spent one whole Friday thinking about what to do with the kids on Saturday and Sunday and end up with nothing. So, on the weekends, we spent hours in front of the TV coloring bananas, gorillas, and calculator on pieces of paper. We, then, took the bicycle to the park and cycled around. Joshua got scrapes on his knees and Jared was more than unhappy with the fact that his big brother made more 'sand castles' in the park than he did ? but we all came home knowing that we knew each other better.
You see, spending quality time with the kids is all about getting to know your kids. Making an effort to be there for them when you know you CAN be doing something else with your life. We know we can use that time to actually finish off the report or call that important client up ? but the most important thing with quality time with kids is that we DON'T.
? Marsha Maung 2005
Please feel free to reprint this article anywhere in your website, magazine, ezine, or other types of publications for free. Please note that you should keep the byline in tact and please provide links back to the web addresses provided in the byline. Thanks.
Marsha Maung is a freelance graphic designer and copy writer who works from home. She designs apparel and premium items at http://www.creativejooz.com and http://www.creativejooz.com and is the author of "Raising little magicians", and the popular "The Lance in freelancing". More information can be found at http://www.creativejooz.com
recurring maid service Wilmette ..This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
My neighbours' kid impressed me the other day.I was busy... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
Cardiovascular endurance is one of the five health-related components of... Read More
"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
Parental example, whether for good or for bad, is undoubtedly... Read More
When a parent is deployed with the military it can... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
When my firstborn arrived into this serene and peaceful household,... Read More
Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
What is in a name?The answer is everything!Jo J. of... Read More
Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
There's a new trend for party entertainment. It seems as... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge.... Read More
When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Parenting |