Us parents will do everything to provide for our children, but we sometimes get too busy, tired or can’t find time to spend with our kids. Did you know that spending time with your children for at least 30 mins to 1 hour a day will make a big difference in their lives? We often feel guilty for not spending time with our children and try to compensate for it by buying them material things, but really our children often just want our attention and time. Here are the top benefits of why spending time with your children:
- Improves Mental Health: Interacting with our children, especially face-to-face communication, as opposed to digital forms of communication significantly reduces the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Being physically present with loved ones creates a strong emotional support for our children through life’s challenges.
- Helps children perform well academically: On average, kids who spend more time with their parents tend to do better in school. They learn communication skills and the importance of education. When needed, assisting with assignments or new concepts reinforces the fact that their success is important to you. Even just asking about their day and what they’re learning will show your children that you care.
- Lowers risk of behavioral problems: Children who spend more time with their families have shown reduced risk of behavioral issues, such as violence and substance abuse. When they receive positive attention for positive behaviors, it increases their desire to continue those healthy patterns. Doing activities together also provides an outlet for pent-up emotions that could otherwise lead to unhealthy decisions. If a child (or teenager) feels comfortable bringing problems to you, and is met with a listening ear and good advice, the child will be better equipped to cope with problems and will make positive choices.
- Boosts self-confidence: Spending time with family builds confidence for all of its members. Parents can teach children to build self-esteem through specific skills such as problem solving and communication. This is important especially when children or teenageers believe what they see in social media. They can also model the ability to love themselves without degrading others. For parents and children, confidence grows simply with the knowledge that they are valued and appreciated by their loved ones.
- Helps kids learn future parenting skills: The memories you create together will install in your children a desire to foster that same loving atmosphere in their own future homes. Through your example, your kids learn important caregiving skills that they can use for life. They may even practice now by copying your behaviors when they interact with siblings and friends.
- Reduces stress: Those with healthy relationships tend to employ healthier coping mechanisms for stress—such as confiding in friends and family—instead of other unhealthy behaviors. Establish a habit of talking through problems together to relieve stress and find effective solutions.
- Enhances physical health: With the right kind of activities, time with family can positively impact physical well-being. For instance, families who eat home-cooked meals together tend to have a better diet than those who don’t. Participating in outdoor activities like sports games, hikes, or gardening together helps to improve fitness. There’s even evidence that time with family can boost the effects of exercise and other healthy habits. It improves heart, brain, hormonal, and immune health. And families can encourage one another to maintain healthy lifestyles.
Make family time a priority
Our children will eventually grow up to be adults and leave us wondering where all the time went. One day they will thank you for spending that quality time with them because you are one of the big reasons why your children became the person they are today.