Don’t bother spending quality time with your kids
Seriously.
What is quality time anyway? Does it pass slower or faster? What differentiates good quality time with bad quality time?
Nothing. Time is time is time.
Any time that you spend with your kids is quality time.
If you are worrying about spending quality time with your kids, you are likely already a great parent. Don’t let anyone tell you that only one-on-one time spent reading, cuddling and teaching your kids is quality time, and that you should feel guilty about the rest of the time spent near or away from your kids.
When you reason with them to eat their veggies, you are investing time in their health and future healthy habits.
When you deal with a tantrum or behavior, you are investing time in helping them make sense of good and bad and how to navigate their emotions.
When you multitask while dealing with them, you are investing time in teaching them how much parents sacrifice and do for their kids.
When you leave your kids with a babysitter to catch up with your partner or friends, you are teaching them to invest time in self-care and relationships.
When you take a break to drink your coffee or catch up on messages while the kids watch TV or play games on their iPad, you are teaching them that it is worthwhile to take care of oneself, and okay to put yourself first occasionally. Bonus points if you choose programming that enriches their minds or teaches them to be friendly and nice.
We all wish we had more time with our kids, but ultimately, our jobs, our chores, our self-care time are all contributing to happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives and futures for our entire family.
