In the previous articles, I have shared the three ingredients to Quality Time with your child which are engage your child one at a time, be present and do what your child loves. Today, let me share my final thoughts on the subject.
What I want to share is that Quality time can be brief. Rest assured, dads, that your engagement with your child does not always have to be measured in terms of hours; it can be measured in minutes.
Imagine that it is Wednesday night. Your family has finished dinner and you say to your son, “Come, let’s go buy ice cream.”
The two of you take a five-minute walk to the nearest shop. You chat and share your experiences from the day along the way.
After buying ice cream, you both begin the journey home. Unlike before, you’ll not be chatting much, but eating your ice-cream before it melts.
Did those ten minutes count as Quality Time? Did it have all the ingredients of Quality Time? Let’s check. You went with that child alone to buy ice cream. Check. You were fully present (assuming you were not constantly checking your phone). Check. And your child was very happy because he had his favourite ice cream and spent alone time with you as well. Check.
So you see, Quality time can be brief. I do hope that you also do it consistently. Your consistency in spending quality time with your child creates memories and traditions.
Take a minute to think of the activities can you do with your child that satisfies the three ingredients of Quality Time?
By Parcsen Loke, Family Life Coach, Centre for Fathering. If you wish to contact Parcsen, please make an appointment at: calendly.com/iamparcsen.