“The best thing you can give your children is time.” 

Quality time is the time spent together and giving undivided attention focusing only on your loved ones, your children. Nowadays, most parents do not have enough time to spend with their children as they are packed with their work schedules and children are busy with school activities too. However, today's generation of children requires extra attention on both physical and emotional care, thus parents need to allocate time to spend on the children to understand their child and create bonds. Family members are linked in significant ways throughout each stage of life. Each connection has a lasting impact and provides the support and reassurance that your child needs.  Additionally, quality time with children plays a role in making them have holistic development and growth. As children nowadays are exposed to numerous types of media, societal issues, and other environmental elements such as relationships and social influences, it is necessary for parents to connect with their children's sentiments, emotions, and ways of thinking. Children who receive emotional and physical support from their parents are less likely to have behavioural problems. 

 

Connecting with your child and spending some quality time together brings many benefits to your children. Early childhood research has revealed that a child's familial environment has a critical role in their development of self (Harter, 2015). The following are some advantages of spending quality time:

• Building self-esteem

Many external and internal aspects, including those related to education, friends, and relationships, can have an impact on one's self-esteem; nevertheless, the family seems to play a crucial part in this process. A child's sense of self, socializing, and cultural identity can all be influenced by the connections and social interactions among family members. Children who interact with their parents and engage in activities as a family develop a significant sense of self-worth. Children feel better about themselves when they sense their parents value them. Even the simplest family activities, like singing and cooking can be exciting.

• Strengthens family bonds

Families that engage in activities or house chores together tend to develop solid, emotional relationships. Studies have also found that families who enjoy group activities together can adapt well to difficult situations too.

• It encourages communication and interaction

By spending time with your children, you foster an environment conducive to active conversation. Communication is key when you want your kids to be transparent when talking to you about anything.  It can make a significant difference to just ask your child how their day has been. By example, kids learn! Thus, they are more likely to practice those behaviours in other relationships in their lives when you are setting a positive example for them through spending quality time together. They will learn more about communication and interaction with people indirectly, improving their social abilities. Simple activities like playing games together or sharing toys will teach them the value of sharing and kindness.

• It can help your child’s academic performance

Krauss contends that parental involvement in a child's education may enhance the learning environment, boost academic performance, and boost the child's perception of competence. Helping your kids with their schooling or reading aloud to them will help create a culture that values education, especially in the early years. Your child is more likely to perform well in school when they are comfortable approaching you with their assignments.

However, the lack of quality time leads to behavioural problems among the children. Let us take a look at some of the harmful effects of not spending quality time with children. Effects of lack of quality time are:

 

Lacking of familial relationship

The absence of bonds and connections between parents and children causes the children to feel distant. When a child experiences these sorts of emotions, it makes them feel unappreciated and unloved, which can cause family values like love, care, empathy, support, and the list goes on to fade. Because they suppress their feelings as children, these kids will grow up to be people who are overwhelmed by unfavourable emotions. Additionally, perhaps it would turn them into a rebellious child. When there is no family time, these children completely rely on their friends for trust, which is not necessarily a negative thing, but it hinders them from understanding what a family entails. This could also result in a child developing confidence in strangers, who might take advantage of their vulnerability.

 

Emotional Distress

A child who does not get enough quality time tends to feel lonely and empty.  A child's psyche is far more nuanced than it initially looks.   When there is no one to talk to, children have no other way to express their emotions. When no one is paying attention to them, these kids will feel hurt. These kids might no longer feel valued and loved by their parents, and they might also experience instability in their self-esteem, uncertainty, and lack of trust.

 

Negative Behaviour

The last effect is negative behaviour. Even though these behaviours might not be apparent right away, the child may experience harm as a result of using aggressiveness as a way to express their feelings of loneliness and despair. Boys and girls may experience these issues at different ages, and they may be either direct or indirect.

Behavioural problems are something that should not be taken lightly. Therefore, there are many ways to improve quality time: 

1. When everyone's schedules are hectic, designate one day per week for family time.

2. Establish a routine that you and your kids can practice every day. Allowing your child to choose and read one book with you at bedtime is one example.

3. Express your feelings visibly.  Tell them how much you love them, how they make you feel and display what love looks like to them.  The feelings need to connect with the mind.

4. Reinforce positive behaviour. Praise them for their effort and encourage them for their good behaviour.

 

It's essential to have a special bond with your children and can be a simple priority to incorporate into your daily schedule. Doing so, they will enjoy long-lasting impacts as they grow into contributing adults in the future.