Quality time is the only time of the day when you are effectively being 'parents' to your child. Rest of the time when you are ensuring that your child eats well, wears neat clothes, goes to good school etc., you are simply taking care of his material needs. Make sure you spend quality time with your child for his emotional well being.
It's not quantity but quality of the time that matters: It's not necessary to spend the whole day together. Having dinner together, going for walks, reading stories before bedtime, cuddling, having pillow fights will become cherished memories energizing your child each moment of his life.
Be present on important occasions: Nothing can boost the morale of a child as much as the presence of parents while he gives stage performance, delivers speech or participates in a tournament. Attend his school functions, PTMs to show your interest in his life.
Pay full attention: Don't be distracted by phone cells, T.V. or your office work. The bonding won't take place if your child feels that other things are more important than him.
Be there when he needs you : At times your child may be too excited to show the stars on his notebook or too upset about a fight with a friend. If you tell him you'll talk at bedtime because you want to finish cooking or watch news, that would not mean quality time. Hence, quality time also means to be there for your child when he needs you and not when it's convenient to you.
An opportunity to know your child: Talk to your child, listen to his opinions, answer his questions. This will not only enhance his ability to express but help you to know his strengths, weaknesses, his interests, what's going on in his life and above all, make your child look at you not just as a parent but also as a friend.
For your parenting related queries, write to the renowned parenting expert Sudha Gupta at
sudhagupta@mothersprideonline.com Selected questions will win 'Celebrate Childhood' by Sudha Gupta. HAPPY PARENTING Click below for more articles
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