24/7: A Resource For Working Parents
How To Create Quality Time With Your Kids When There Is So Little Time
By: Dr. Robin Alter
Working parents live busy lives, so it can be hard for parents to create quality time with their children. The key word is quality. Family time as a group is important, but every child craves one-on-one time with their parents. Did you know? Research shows that sibling rivalry will diminish when kids have individual time with parents. So how do we find that time? Here are three ideas.
Have projects on the go
Pick a project—a jigsaw puzzle, a model, an outdoor “fort” or a piece of artwork. It doesn’t matter what it is, but it needs to be something your child will enjoy and it’s best if it’s something that will take a while. Start working on it and leave the unfinished project in a spot where your child will repeatedly see it, as a visual reminder of your connection to each other.
Even when you don’t have time to work on the project, there will be times when you can discuss it either in person or on the phone (if you’re a weekend parent or travelling for work). You can talk about the next steps or how you feel about the project.
Children under the age of 12 understand the world in concrete terms — if they can’t see it or touch it, it’s not very real to them. The project serves as a concrete, constant reminder of the enduring nature of your relationship. If you have more than one child, then have more than one project.