Quality In Between Time

Quality time becomes far and few for working parents. However, the time we do have with our children we can maximize those times which make for excellent quality in between time moments. There may be a small sacrifice involved to wake up earlier or a few extra dollars in gas for the week, but isn't it worth it for your child? The quality of time and relationships with our children are priceless, well-deserved, and help to ensure we are raising positive, productive, and successful adults. Here are a few tips to get in some quality "in between time":

-Instead of having your child ride the bus, opt to take/walk your child to school and pick up from school whenever possible. This is an excellent way to get their daily course off to a good start, find out how their day went, have meaningful conversations, learn who their friends are, and build relationships with children. This is also a time to have reflection by way of gratitude and lesson learning. This is not a time to redicule children before they go to school as this may inadversely affect their and your day.

-Before school, wake up 30 minutes early to prepareg and have dinner with your child/children, have the children assist with preparing breakfast, even better, develop a morning routine involving morning prayer, light exercise such as Yoga or stretching, and breakfast. This will be a wonderful addition to your daily routine, helps knock of stress, helps get the day started properly, and promotes another way to have quality time.

-If you have mulitple children, it is important to spend quality time both separately and a family unit. Devise a way to ensure that each child gets time alone with you and time with the family unit. An evening walk every other day or every day can be done with one child or as a family. This helps everyone get some exercise, fresh air, and time to talk.

-Eat dinner together, every night. This acitivty is known and shown to be a positive risk factor for producing positive, productive, and successful children.

-Eat lunch with your child at school1 What better way to show your child you care and love to spend time with them.

-Take your child on a date! Go to the movies, the mall, the farmer's market, ice-skating, a walk in the park, a cup of tea, a museum, or any of your favorite places for a day out on the town.

-Invite your child to your job for a 1/2 day, have them assist you in the office or help you prepare for work.