Quality time is essential to our children's growth, development and mental health. But in our busy lives and hectic schedules it’s often something parents find really hard to fit in, especially if they have more than 1 child. You’re not alone if you feel this way too as 90% of parents admit to struggling to make space for quality time whilst keeping up with all of the other jobs they have to do. Hard as it is, we must find time for these shared experiences with our children and I’m about to help you do just that…
Strengthening Your Bond For a Lifetime
As a parent, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life—work, household chores and the constant juggling of responsibilities. But as you’re about to read, one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s well-being is through quality 1:1 time. It’s more than just spending hours together though; it’s about being fully present and engaged in that moment with your child. In today’s busy world, many parents struggle with feeling disconnected from their children and the effects can be significant. Without intentional quality time, children may feel overlooked, which can lead to issues with self-esteem, behaviour, trust and emotional regulation.
Quality time fosters deeper connections that help build a foundation of trust. Consistent engagement from an early age helps children feel safe and valued, opening the lines of communication between you and your child. It is important to lay these foundations and build this trust when they’re little…so they’re more able to open up about their thoughts and feelings as they grow. Ultimately we all want our children to keep coming to us as they navigate the complexities of adolescence and beyond, right?
Additionally, shared moments - whether it’s reading together, playing or simply talking - create lasting memories that strengthen the parent-child bond. These moments don’t just shape their childhood; they influence how they view relationships later in life. Children who experience consistent quality time are more likely to develop healthy, trusting relationships in their own lives, knowing what it means to feel loved, supported, and heard. Ultimately, this time isn’t just about today - it’s an investment in a deeper, lasting connection that will continue to grow as they mature.
So What Really is ‘Quality Time’?
Quality often beats quantity in life and that’s also true when it comes to the special time we spend with our children. It’s far better for your relationship to spend 15 actively playing together than 1 hour of them trying to fight for your attention whilst you’re on your phone. (And I mean that with love by the way, I’ve definitely been caught scrolling for Christmas presents recently rather than fully engaging with my children...so I know it doesn’t feel good.)
But engaging in activities that you can BOTH enjoy without it feeling like an extra thing on your to-do list, really is the trick here.
You can call Quality Time whatever you want to, you can plan it in for every day or every weekend…but the real key to it is consistency and connection. It doesn’t need to be fancy. I’m not talking about trips to Legoland or even the library…I’m asking, on your child’s behalf, if they could please have your full attention to just play.
Benefits to Child Development
Quality one-on-one time is essential for a child’s emotional, cognitive and social development. During these connected moments with us, our children not only feel loved and secure but also develop a sense of being valued and understood, something I’ve talked about a great deal here. This secure attachment forms the foundation for healthy emotional regulation...helping children manage stress and lowering anxiety.
Undivided attention also significantly boosts cognitive growth as being listened to and engaged with stimulates brain development. Children are in fact more likely to reach key developmental milestones when they receive the cognitive stimulation that one to one time provides.
But there’s an even more important reason why we need to be spending this time with our children…
The Impact on Mental Health
Our children are growing up in an era that we cannot fully relate to as adults. More children than ever before struggle with their mental health and with the pressures of academic expectations, more screens and less time to play, we need to act now in order to have the best possible impact on their mental health. Even through the simplest of activities, shared experiences with a parent develops emotional intelligence, alleviates stress and anxiety and even builds resilience, all key things that need to be developed during childhood. Quality time gives our children a chance to play, talk and really be listened to. Children who feel heard and important are more confident, have higher self-esteem and are more secure in their social interactions with others. Ultimately, quality time with a parent builds a foundation of trust, nurturing a child’s emotional and cognitive growth while strengthening the bond that shapes their overall well-being.
So What Do We Have To Do?
If you’re keen to:
Build a strong foundation for your child’s emotional health
Deepen your bond with them
Create meaningful moments even though you're busy
Transform everyday interactions into lasting memories
And parent without the pressure…
Then find 10 minutes, sit side by side with your child and just do something together that you’ll both enjoy. Read a book, paint a picture, build a tower…whatever it is, give them your full attention. No screens, no interruptions and where possible, no siblings. And keep in mind that you don’t have to be a perfect parent—just a present one.
Comentários