Family Time: Quality vs. Quantity

Quality and quantity are two words that a lot of people want to interchange, but these two words mean very different things.

According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, QUALITY means "a high level of value or excellence." QUANTITY means "a number or amount of something." As families, it is wonderful when we can incorporate both, but often times we find ourselves thinking that the quantity is more important than the quality.

We often think that if we have our children and/or ourselves involved in multiple activities, groups, and organizations, then we are living life at its optimum level. Eventually we crash and we realize we missed out on a lot of important things with our children. Things that only we could appreciate if we were to spend some true parent-child time together.

Think about how you are treating time with your children. We can be present without actually present. It is essential, no matter how much or how little time we can allot with our children, that we are truly into what is going on with them. Make sure your children know they are being heard. I know when we are multitasking we often throw out the general "yeah" and "oh really?" and "uh-huh" with the occasional nod in an attempt to seem interested. Our children are not dumb. They can detect sincerity. I've seen this with my own children and even with my students. A couple minutes of  one-on-one, devoted conversation can change the course of a child's day. Let them be heard.

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This world would have us believe we need to constantly look out for number one. I'm reminded regularly that this is not so. This type of mentality continues to lead to problems the world over and we can begin breaking the cycle in our own homes. We can begin by listening to our children. We can begin showing them that they really do matter.

My husband has been super short staffed at work for the last few months. He works multiple 72 hour shifts, often with only a day or two in between at home. His work keeps him away from home and our three year old misses him dearly. On the days he is off, he tries to take advantage of that time. He may take her out for a Daddy-Daughter date for ice cream. He may take her to the park to play. He may rent a movie that she wants to see, make some popcorn, and watch it with her. Sure he could leave her to her own devices while he sits and relaxes in his reclining chair, but instead, he involves her. We are far from perfect parents but we try to make a valiant attempt to make memories with our children. We don't want them to remember us as just being there. We want them to remember us as involved, in tune, and completely in love with who they are.

If we strive to imitate Christ, we will find these attempt more like second nature. Our Savior does not cast aside because He has one thousand other, more important, things going on. He ensures that He devotes intentional time for each of His children. I'm not saying we should compare ourselves to God, because we would never even come close. The point is to strive to follow His example. If He deems time with His children so important, then I believe so should we. I encourage you to take a moment or two and step back. Look at what time with your children looks like. Be intentional. Be involved. Be imitators of Christ.

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