Please take a minute or two to watch the short video. It is eye-opening!
Who would you most like to eat dinner with?
Did it surprise you as much as it did me? Research shows that as long as a child’s basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, and safety are provided, children want and need most the love and attention of their parents.
Kate Schweitzer says, “What your little one really wants is something that doesn’t cost you a cent but is perhaps more difficult to provide than anything you can put on your credit card — it’s your time. Between long hours at work, endless chores, and the allure of digital distractions, what should be the easiest thing to give is, these days, the most difficult.”
Becky Mansfield at YourModernFamily.com said many of the children in her study wanted their parents to be less stressed and less tired. I think that is getting closer to the root of the problem.
All of us love our children and want to give them our attention. But! That takes time and planning and concentration.
When we have spent the day at a busy job, we’re tired and stressed. We don’t give our best attention when we are exhausted. Getting home, fixing dinner, making sure everyone has what they need for tomorrow makes us less gentle and patient with our kids.
Becky had some very practical tips to help us be less stressed and more able to give the time and attention our kids want. Here are some of her suggestions:
- Get on a schedule. This takes some of the stress out of your day because you know what you need to do.
- Have your kids help with your chores. This lessens your load and teaches them valuable lessons.
- Get everything ready the night before to make mornings less hectic. Get a better start to your day.
- Limit your “online” time. If everyone limits their online time, there is more time to share together.
- Simplify your laundry and cooking chores. Get everyone involved to streamline the process.
- Laugh! Find ways to have FUN with your family.
Read more from Becky on What do kids want most from their parents?