OPINION: Focus on Family

Dr. Anthony P. Witham once said “children spell love…T-I-M-E.” 

For many Americans, it is time to rethink the hyperactive lifestyles which have become commonplace and concentrate on carving out precious time with our children. The pitfalls of over-scheduling our calendars often results in kids getting the short end of the (time) stick. As a result, parents fail to be a witness to their children’s lives the way they would like. It is time to get up out of the stands and become an active participant in your children’s lives. 

Time is a precious commodity. And, because it is the most precious thing we own, it behooves us to use it wisely. It is important to find ways to squeeze your busy schedule into your family life rather than trying to fit your family life into your busy schedule. A little creativity is all it takes! 

If parents utilize time well by careful organizing and multitasking, children will reap the benefits.   This time spent together need not include traveling to special places or events or even spending money at all. Instead, it is time marked by parental interest and attention - away from phones, computers and television - where parents are engaged in their children’s lives. Time with your kids should involve just that, and nothing else. This could mean something as simple as curling up with a book, going on a picnic, flying a kite, taking a walk or playing board games together. Perhaps it could mean tapping into your child’s interests - planting a garden, star gazing in the night sky, building a model airplane or baking together. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It just requires the desire to step off the treadmill of life for a moment and focus on the simple things. 

If home is where the heart is, then it is at home that the heart can be nurtured and family bonds can be strengthened. 

Between jobs, household responsibilities, extra-curricular activities and homework, finding quality time with our children can seem a daunting task. But, if we make it a priority,  good old quality time can be created and will reap huge rewards. Turn off technology and avoid falling into the trap of being together but not really being together.  

Sometimes the best things in life are simple and free. 

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