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“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”
— Desmond Tutu
Quality time is one of the most important gifts you can give your family. Not only does it enable you to spend time together, but it allows you the opportunity to truly get to know one another. So many unplanned conversations can occur while you are there.
I have a drama-mama in my house. She loves to tell stories of her day and sometime she tells me way more than I might ever want to know. However, she has a different relationship with her dad. They talk about important things but she often leaves out some of the details, particularly when boys are involved, that she might share with me. I have noticed on occasion though that she will save certain topics for one of our regular family nights during the week. I asked her about it once and she told me ‘I know Daddy will give me his full attention then.’
Family time does not have to be prescriptive but it is important that it is consistent. Even when they do not want to admit it, children and teenagers thrive on routine. Their world, and in turn yours, runs significantly better when they know what to expect. By maintaining family times as regularly as possible, you are helping them keep that routine. You are also creating an environment where they know they will have the opportunity to ask questions or talk about things that are important.
Children are in our care for such a small portion of their lives. Take the time to get to know them and offer them the opportunity they crave to get to know you as well.
