Kidsmart – March 2016
As members of modern families are increasingly pulled in different directions, it can be challenging for them to enjoy time together as families. According to a report titled “Spending Time with His Kids: Effects of Family Structure on Fathers and Children’s Lives” in the Journal of Marriage and the Family, kids’ academic performance can benefit from having mothers who frequently communicate with them and fathers who spend time doing activities with their kids. Time spent together also can nourish a stronger emotional bond between parents and children, which may make children less likely to exhibit behavioral problems.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University states that teens who frequently have dinner with their families are less likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or try illegal substances. Kids are not the only ones who benefit from more family time. Parents who regularly interact with their children may learn to appreciate their kids even more. They can see the subtle changes in personality and abilities as kids age, and be better equipped to intervene if they suspect their children are veering off the right path. Spending time with children can be fun, as well as mentally and physically stimulating. Parents who want to increase family time can do so in various ways.
Creating more time for family can sometimes seem impossible, but parents can get creative to ensure they spend more time with their kids.
• Establish at least one day each week that the family catches up with one another. It may be a Friday evening or a Sunday afternoon. Choosing a day rather than winging it guarantees weekly time together.
• Turn chores into opportunities to involve the kids. It may be faster to fold the laundry or rake the leaves by yourself. However, showing kids they are a part of a functioning household in which everyone does their part is an important lesson for youngsters to learn. Let kids know that once chores are finished the family can do something fun together. Such a lesson can instill a sense of responsibility in youngsters while also creating some family time.
• Take a break from television or screen time on computers and mobile devices. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children younger than two and recommends limiting older children’s screen time to no more than one or two hours a day. Too much screen time by children, and even adults, can result in irregular sleeping habits, behavioral problems, obesity, and less time for play or family interaction. Shutting off devices for a few hours frees up opportunities for families to engage in other activities.
• Take a vacation together as a family and make sure you leave phones and tablets behind at the hotel so you can fully immerse yourself in your surroundings. It’s amazing what you might learn about one another when you are engaged in the same activity and are away from the distractions you routinely encounter back at home.
• Eat at least one family meal together per day and use the opportunity to talk about what is going on in one another’s lives.