Create meaningful family time with these five tips

Life seems so fast-paced nowadays, and as parents, it appears that with the blink of an eye our children have a driver’s license.

Americans are spending just 37 minutes of quality family time a day, according to StudyFinds. The time is even less for those families that have kids in sports or other activities. The early years are meaningful, and it is so easy to get sucked into the daily routine. The shocking part of the survey was that adults spend up to three3 hours daily on social media – way more than they do with their family. 

Here are a few simple steps we can consciously take to enhance our family time:

1. Limit screen time. Yes, this is for parents too. Leave the phones offout of the dinner table, and make it known to the family that meals and other designated times are technology-free. Instead, have conversations, and find other ways to engage with each other during dinnertime. 
2. Read together. As an educator, I continuously tell my students to read at nighttime for fun. They will be the first to admit that due to sports or busy schedules, they skip this suggestion. If you, as a parent, make it a family affair, not only are you spending quality time together, but you are enhancing their vocabulary and love for reading.  
3. Schedule dates. If you are living off of a calendar or schedule, then pencil in or block some time on it. Your family is more important than any other activity you have listed, make sure they get the time they deserve. A fun idea would be to plan individual dates with each child, and then a big family one. 
4. Play board games. We live in a world of digital games and instant gratification – let’s take it back to the simpler days and introduce our children to the games we played as kids. If you don’t have any board games at home, take out a deck of cards! Have some fun teaching each other card games and even reviewing math facts. 
5. Cook together. Take any activity that you engage in after school, and involve your children. Not only are you maintaining your productivity, but you’re creating memories, too.

What are other ways you encourage family time at home? Let us know at @ArizonaEducator on Twitter or Arizona PBS KIDS on Facebook!

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About the author

Marissa Will is the mother of two, Olivia (6) and Logan (4). Writing was her first passion: she’s a freelance writer and a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumna. Will is currently educating the future leaders of tomorrow: She has spent the past nine years educating third grade with a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University-Yuma.