You’ve probably heard the term “quality time” and are often told that you need to spend it with your children.  But what exactly is quality time with a child?  Quality time isn’t some magical thing or state of being.  It’s when you spend time completely focused on your child and her thoughts and feelings, really listening to her and what she is telling you.  Quality time is one on one with your child – no siblings or spouse is included in your special time.  I like to call it “mommy time” when I refer to it with my children.

Quality time doesn’t have to be a fancy trip to Chuck E. Cheese, or something planned out to the minute.  There are so many different ways you can spend quality time with your child, and these are just a few suggestions:

• Take your child with you when you run everyday errands like grocery shopping, picking up the dry cleaning, or washing the car.
• Go for a walk with your child.
• Read a favorite story to your child.
• Go out for breakfast or lunch together.

You can have quality time with your child doing just about anything – it doesn’t have to be an activity that costs any money.  If you are having a good conversation with your child while the two of you are cooking dinner then you are spending quality time together.

It’s important to try and find time each day to have quality time with each of your children.  You’ll make each child feel loved and important and build a lasting relationship with them.