RISING WOMEN EXPERTS...

Awhile ago I was talking to my girlfriend discussing what our days look like with our families behind closed doors. We questioned whether it was spending quality time with our husband and children or was it more time for solitary and zoning out from a tired day.

I explained that my days usually consisted of the same routine. The common theme was rushing to get the kids to where they needed to go, rushing to work, then rushing home and then finally...sleep. It seems like an “accelerated speed” mode is the way most of us run our lives. The busyness that we develop overlaps our desire to just sit down, relax and enjoy our children. The truth is that living in the same house doesn’t necessarily make a parent present in the lives of their children.

The importance of focusing on our children seems to be diminished among all the chaos of our day to day. Is the fact that I am not putting that effort I need into my loved ones lives allowing something else to fill that quality time up? Of course! Something else always will. To play “Barbie” with my little girl or to sit down and listen to her read a book, and be interested in what she are learning, imagining and creating is vital. Life without our children would be empty so it is important that we fill our lives with them instead of meaningless stuff that really isn’t important in the long run.

Quality time is about making the time we have count so we can create those beautiful memories, even if it’s just dancing around the kitchen or laying around talking about nothing. This is crucial in the growth and unity of a family. Children need to feel like “family time” is a priority to their parents. By having our undivided attention it can instil security and confidence in their lives.

Quality time is also not based on spending a lot of money; it is much more about creativity. There are a lot of free activities such as taking a bike ride, going to the park, playing board games at home and many more activities that can be much enjoyment for a family without being a huge stress on the wallet.

Children are like sponges and they will soak in anything that is around them, so the question really is: Do you want to be the influence in their lives or leave it to someone else?

Alicia Sharkawi is a mother of 3 girls & an aspiring writer looking to reach her goal of becoming a well acknowledged writer. Alicia may be reached at ali_friesen@hotmail.com