Liza Rivas

Recently I went on a trip with my two children and my husband.  What a blast!  Yes, two small children and vacation is not easy because you would probably need another vacation when you get home, but what memories and special time we shared.  Did you know that young children crave for attention and time to play with you. 

I am positive you have heard many times, it is not the time you spent with your kids, it is the quality time that matters.  To my surprise quality time is not as common sense as some people perceive it to be.  I have heard from many parents that they spend a lot of time with their children.  When I ask for specifics they mention doing errands, going to family outings, birthday parties and many others, but not necessarily it is a time to play a board game, or draw, or play with clay or sit in a pizza or ice cream parlor and simply talk.  I will never forget what one mother told me once after following my advice on quality time with her pre teens.  She said, “Wow, I realized my kids have grown up and they think very differently to what I used to perceive.”  This realization was only after her first pizza lunch with them.

I am sure many of you feel the day is a roller coaster; there are so many things to do when you get up and it is exhausting.  I have also had parents ask me, what else can they do if they are trying to do so many things at once.  It is true that quality time is time consuming, but I insist on those times.  Enjoy your family, embrace your childrens’ personalities and find the best out of each.  Take time to sit and talk, play their favorite game and most importantly focus on them.  These are simple communication skills; let them know they have your attention, keep eye contact and be receptive.  Do not assume they are not interested.  Every young child loves to be part of their families and to your amazement so do older children; there may be resistance, but usually it feels great to feel understood, supported, cared about and it gives our children a sense of security.

Sometimes quality time needs to be planned, make it a priority!