Time Management – Making Time for Your Children

I just wrote a blog in the past weeks that focused on pre-blocking as a time management principle and as a stress control methodology. One of the brief examples I used was pre-blocking time with your kids. So, I decided this was so important that I would carry this forward into this blog on parenting.

There is so much to do in today’s world. People’s schedules are busier than ever. Parents are torn in many ways—and that is ever-increasing. Between work, committees, school activities, extra-curricular activities for kids, digital demands and interruptions, etc., finding quiet, uninterrupted focused time for a child is difficult.

Sure, you are with your kids when you take them to T Ball or to Soccer or cub scouts—or whatever. And, I totally believe that it is important to be there—at these activities—as much as you can.

However, when I am speaking of one on one quality, uninterrupted time, I mean just that. Time you spend with each of your kids– totally and completely focused upon them. This means that you turn off the TV, Facebook, Twitter and everything else. It amazes me how little focus people have on each other in today’s world. If you go to a restaurant and look around, people are all on their Smart Phones and don’t even pay attention to one another. Certainly, pre-block some time for connecting through social media and etc. This is an important part of our modern lives. But, pre-block some non-digital time, as well. Will your life be better because of the posts you read today or because of a little bit of loving focus that you share with your child?

I am on Facebook and I love the social media. This blog is social media—and I want you to read it. So, I’m not against your participation with these social connectors. But, all things need balance. Ask yourself, “can I live without being on my Smart phone for 30 minutes while I play ball with my kid in the back yard? Or read a story together? Or put a puzzle together? Or just listen to them?”

I’ve watched children who are yearning for attention from their parents, grandparents, babysitters—whoever—but cannot get that full attention for even a few minutes because of other distractions that take the adult mentally away from them. Sit back and watch the eyes of a child as they seek your face to see if you are watching them or listening to them or joining with them in the activity.

Pre-block 30 minutes a week (or whatever works for you) and focus on each of your children—just you and him/her. Both of you will benefit forever.