Better parenting tip: Can I find enough quality time for my children?

I will be the first one to admit that I don’t spend enough quality time with my children.

Quality time with our children is so much fun and strengthens the relationship that we have together. This is ever so valuable if we want our children to talk to us when things go wrong, for example they get in trouble at school, they are being bullied or many other little things that are important to them. If we want our children to confide in us we must have a good relationship with our children. Step one is quality time.

Most of you would know I have four children, one doing the HSC this year with the youngest about to turn five. Life is very busy and I often find myself after work thinking “great he wants to watching ABC kids, I can water the garden in peace, get the washing off the line, unpack the dishwasher and pack in the breakfast dishes, throw another load in the washing machine, start cooking dinner, scrub the pretty coloured mould off the shower” and the list goes on, you get the picture.

I know if I say to him, let’s go and collect the eggs and pick the radishes, see how big the pumpkins are now, bake some cookies or help me cook tea tonight, he will eagerly be my little assistant.

What children learn from making a batch of cookies is endless and the relationship that we establish now with our children is priceless. Enjoy quality time with your children this weekend.

  • Bed time routine
  • Visuals
  • Reward charts
  • Happy meal times
  • Dealing with demanding children
  • Sibling rivalries
  • Consistency between parents
  • Separation anxiety