How to Spend Quality Time with Your Child

Helping children learn new skills is one way to enjoy quality time together.

Spending quality time with your child is very important to your child's development. The nurturing and caring needed during the child's growing years through puberty and all the way through early adulthood is crucial in laying down the foundation for your child's future and well-being. Learning how to accomplish this will make it easier for both parents and children to spend and enjoy these quality times together.

Instructions

1. Make time to spend time with your child, no matter how busy your schedule or how tired you may be. Schedule time that you can spend with your child uninterrupted. Whether reading a story just before bedtime or doing things that parent and child enjoy, like a game of Scrabble or chess, it becomes natural as you make this time a priority. The time you spend together will strengthen your bond as your child grows.

2. Turn off the interruptions, and give your child your full attention. Turn off the television, unless your time together is about watching your child's favorite show. Turn off your cell phones so you can talk. Nothing is worse than a child's excitement in running up to tell you how they did in school, only to be interrupted by a phone call. You can return the call later.

3. Listen intently, and be sincere. A child knows too well when you are not paying attention. Do not make promises you cannot keep. Set realistic expectations so your child will not feel hurt. This is a practice all parents must take to heart, especially divorced ones, when visitations may be limited or restricted.

4. Think of fun activities you can do together. Quality time does not only mean having a conversation with your child. It can include activities that you and your child can enjoy together, like baking goodies, taking a walk through the neighborhood or shooting hoops in your backyard.

5. Keep the schedule routinely, but be open to changes. Make your child equally accountable in keeping that schedule for your quality time. Your child should understand the importance of having that time together regularly so neither of you lose touch with each other. As your child grows and starts to have friends, be open and be flexible if you need to adjust the times. Work something out so your child can have a normal social life and still be part of yours. Compromise goes a long way.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk about your family traditions, or start a new one together.

• Lend an open ear. Talk about your day, then ask about your child's day.

• You alone can assess how you can balance work and still spend time with your child. Learn to prioritize, and strive to make up quickly for lost time.

References

• Ohio State University Extension; Spending Time With Your Child; Lois Clark
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Being an Involved Father: What Does It Mean?; Kate Fogarty and Garret D. Evans