Lives these days are hectic and full of demands. Both adults and children’s responsibilities have increased within the last decade. Children have to go to school and participate in several extra-curricular activities to become well-rounded individuals. More and more, both parents work, share household, parenting, and professional duties. Children seek more expensive items from their parents such as tablets, branded shoes, and game consoles… all items that are well over $100, which increase the financial burden on parents.
What if I told you that face-to-face time with your child is much more valuable than any item you can buy or extra-curricular activity they may do?
Positive family quality time is linked with children behaving better, accepting discipline, developing appropriately, and having healthier emotional intelligence and relationships.
So in a time where demands are insurmountable and fixated on completing tasks and obtaining materialistic items, stop and think how to make time with your child on a daily basis. 15 minutes a day is all that it takes to make a difference!
Here are some tips by age group:
Infants and toddlers:
Get on the floor. Look at the world at their height.
Funny and expressive faces help your child bond with you. Go ahead and laugh at yourself!
Sing as much as you can. Children in this age group can be soothed by hearing your voice, as well as learn, and have fun.
Until your baby is six months old, hold and carry your baby as much as possible. You won’t spoil him. After 6 months old, still make sure your child gets a significant amount of affection.
Play pretend. Talk on the pretend phone, play with the doll, and maybe dress up together.
Read to them during bedtime, or anytime really.
5 to 12 years old:
Learn about the activities your child likes to do: play a board game, play pretend with your child, play their favorite video game.
Go to their school and extra-curricular activities when possible, and use the car ride as a time to talk.
Have family outings that are of their interest: the zoo, the beach, the park, a children’s museum…. ask what they would like to do.
Get them involved in a project. This can be something like building a doll house, making a painting for their room, or help to pick up the leaves in the backyard.
13 to 17 years old:
Learn their talk. Be curious about the “cool” words. Ask them what it means and try to use them.
Listen to your teen’s music together. Music is something that teens value, so it will be a great way to spend time together. You may enjoy the music, or it may hurt your ears…. but remember, that is what your teen is listening to.
Have some family outings that interest them. It could be the beach, the movies, eating out, camping, arts, and crafts. Find out what they would like to do.
COMMON THINGS TO ALL AGES:
Avoid technology. Put away the phone, the tablets, turn off the television as well as the laptop. It’s okay to do it sometimes, but it can’t be the norm. Looking at each other’s face while spending quality time together actually makes a difference in development and bonding in your child.
Complete chores together, such as going to store, picking up the mail together, taking out the garbage together, cooking together, etc.
Have meals together. Meal time is a great time to share about daily matters and learn about one another.
Have dates with each of your children. Giving one-on-one time to each of your children will help them feel special.
Family traditions. Having family traditions is a great way to bond around specific holidays and events and help create memories.
Family vacations. Just like family traditions, these create memories and as a result closeness.
Just a few changes in your schedule can make it possible to spend more face-to-face time with your child. In the process, you might get a chore done together, or build many memories that will be priceless. Car insurance is not the only thing you can get in 15 minutes! 15 minutes a day of interaction with your child will make a world difference to his future.
To The Success of Your Family Relationships!
Your Therapy Friend,
Sofia
Sofia Robirosa is the owner of Infinite Therapeutic Services and is a Relationships & Parenting Expert. She offers individual, couples, and family counseling to individuals seeking to enhance their relationships. Her private practice is located in Plantation, FL. She attended Nova Southeastern University for both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and in Business Administration. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Leader in Active Parenting for children and teens, an evidenced based program. She is also a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She is a passionately committed therapist, who thoroughly takes pride and joy from her job. She enjoys working with a culturally diverse population and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and an active volunteer of the Broward Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She loves her family, which consists of her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Some of her interests outside of work include spending time outdoors, traveling, and dining. Read more about her at: www.infinitetherapeuticservices.com and follow her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/infinitetherapy/