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
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of all... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More
As Mother's Day approaches I would like to give a... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you... Read More
When my firstborn arrived into this serene and peaceful household,... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
Let's face it.The job market is getting tougher every day.Computerization... Read More
Even though the "Stop and Think" movement in ADHD treatment... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
There are many parenting styles. Yours may be very different... Read More
Does this sound familiar? Have your kids not listened to... Read More
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I... Read More
When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
You no longer have to use Ritalin or other stimulants... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More
For any of you Moms out there that are doing... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
Sitterphobe "I never have a second to myself," this mother... Read More
10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More
Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More
If there are any parents reading this who are thinking... Read More
"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More
The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
Parenting |