Nowadays, more and more parents are understanding the importance of spending time with their kids. However, there are some situations wherein parents are unable to spend as much time with their kids as they want to, such as for parents who work the night shift, or are always working overtime in order to make ends meet.
Does this mean that they aren’t as involved with their kids compared to other parents? A study says that it might not always be the case.
Quality vs. quantity
According to a study on BJM Open, what matters more isn’t the actual amount of time that parents spend with their kids, but it has more to do with how involved and happy the parents are whenever they get an opportunity to be with their children.
The study found that the dads who took pleasure in taking care of their kids had children with fewer behavioral problems at 9 and 11 years of age. According to the results, being secure in their role as a father and a husband and having an emotional connection with their child had a more significant effect compared to the amount of time that the fathers spent with their kids.
This means that the quality, instead of the quantity is more important when it comes to raising a happy and well-adjusted child.
Previous research that was conducted on mothers also showed similar results.
Don’t feel guilty as a parent
These days, a lot of working parents feel guilty if they’re unable to spend as much time with their kids compared to other moms and dads. But based on the results of this study, that guilt is misplaced.
Activities such as reading, playing, and bathing, are high-quality activities that working parents should definitely engage in with their child. For older kids, a simple conversation asking about how your child’s day was, or telling them a funny story at work, or simply asking them how they’re feeling would be enough to create a lasting bond.
You don’t need to spend all of your time with your kids, just make sure that during the moments that you’re together, you’re making the most of it. Your child will love you even more if they realize that whenever they’re with you, your attention is directed towards them, and you’re doing your best to connect and bond with them as a parent. And at the end of the day, that’s really all that matters.
Source: theguardian.com
READ: Why spending quality time with your family is the best way to show you love them