by L. Landrum

Created on: October 03, 2009   Last Updated: October 04, 2009

I believe that anytime we spend with loved ones is quality time as that time will never come around again. Each moment is unique and has special memories and these memories are what we take with us.

When it comes to parents spending quality time with their children I find this to be a contradiction as all time should be quality. The problem however is that many parents are still children themselves and are still in the selfish mode. In order to spend quality time with anyone you first must know how to spend quality time with yourself. In other words: to love others you must first love yourself.

Now if you have that down you are ready to spend quality time with your loved ones, keeping in mind that what is quality to one may and probably will be different to the other one. With children as with adults we all have different needs and wants and therefore are the happiest when we are receiving that which makes us happy and joyful.

It is imperative to think of the individual child and what would make them happy. Spending individual time with each child is also very important.

Take child "A", this child may like to spend time with you reading and drawing. How great it would be to them to spend the day with you just lying around reading and making up stories and then drawing your versions of the story.

Whereas child "B", may like to be outside and play games. Pick this child's favorite outdoor game and set up a fun way for the two of you to play.

In both cases, conversation and encouragement are needed. There is not a child in the world that does not want to have one on one time with you. We are all strapped for time and we can all make excuses for that, but it is best to keep in mind that we do not know what tomorrow will bring and as they say, you better take time to smell the roses.

Quality is defined as Superb, the best of, Prime etc. Keeping that in mind give your child the best of you at all times. If you have to work make time and let everything else go during this time. Your child does not want a gift, they do not want to be sent to the movies, they want to just be near you.

In their eyes this is quality time!

It is the little things in life that mean the most. A great big smile and "I love you" in the morning can and will make the childs day! Put a little note in their lunch bag telling them you are thinking of them and you hope they have a great day. Take time each night to ask them how their day went and really share with each other and then make plans for your one on one time.

This is quality and not only will your child's live be enhanced, but so will yours!

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