You’re spending more time with your family lately, thanks to COVID-19. It could be an opportunity to become more intentional about quality time. Otherwise, you might hardly see them during the week with a long workday and commute.
Studies have found that the modern family spends less than 40 minutes together Monday through Friday. However, they try to catch up on weekends when family time expands to about 3 hours.
Other studies show that sprinkling a few minutes of togetherness throughout the day can strengthen family ties. Whoever said the little things mean a lot wasn’t wrong. Small gestures can make all the difference.
Find out more about nurturing important relationships and connections in your life. Make an effort with these techniques to maximize quality time.
Maximizing Quality Time with Your Children
Children are a significant responsibility, consuming your time in various ways. Build up their sense of self to avoid being overly dependent later. Proactive parenting makes your children more resilient and makes wiser choices.
Use these strategies:
- Pay attention. You can boost your child’s self-esteem and social skills by giving them your full and undivided attention. Turn the TV off. Put to the side thoughts about the mortgage and sales reports. You are listening keenly to what they have to say with enthusiasm.
- Dine together. Enjoy your family at dinner, linger around the table, or plan activities for later. You can make the evening playing games or renting out a movie to watch together.
- Play and dance. Everyone needs time off from responsibility. Make the time to play and laugh with your children. Hide and Seek doesn’t cost a thing to play at home.
- Go on vacation. Use your leave time. Please don’t watch it build and do nothing with it. Family outings create lasting memories, and you’ll feel more relaxed away from the familiarity of your home.
Maximizing Quality Time with Your Partner
Is your relationship with your partner beginning to seem more like your roommate? It’s common for the honeymoon phase to pass, but it doesn’t mean the relationship has to stagnate or die. You can revitalize it by applying your communication skills with other family and friends.
Try these techniques:
- Schedule date nights. Plan for at least one date night a month when you can focus on being together as a couple. If you’re too tired for a night out, staying home is okay if you do something more fun than working on your bills and taxes.
- Find a joint project. Team up on a home improvement project or take a scuba diving class. Shared interests draw you closer together too.
- Support each other. Regular kindness can be as romantic as flowers and love letters. Send them an encouraging text message on their way to a dentist appointment.
- Take a quick 15-minute coffee break with your partner if you both work from home.
Maximizing Quality Time with Yourself
Your relationship with yourself counts just as much. When you honor your needs, you raise your capacity and power to care for your loved ones.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Work out. Being physically active is essential for your overall health and well-being. You will also help your kids lead active lives because you are a positive role model when they see you exercising.
- Eat healthily. Estimate and prepare healthy, enjoyable meals and snacks for you and your family. Allow your children to create nutritious, beneficial habits from a young age. When you are cooking, give your youngsters age-appropriate kitchen duties.
- Sleep well. Try to sleep between 7 and 8 hours every night. You’ll be a more attentive and capable parent when you’re well-rested.
Planning and effort can give you more quality time with your loved ones. Strengthening your connections brings more stability and happiness into your life and creates a brighter future for your children.
