Karen Kajmowicz describes why family time should be an essential part of life for parents and children everywhere.

1. Why Family
Time is
Essential
By Karen Kajmowicz

2. IT’S A FACT. TODAY'S
FAMILIES ARE BUSY.
Between our devices,
schedules, and
obligations it’s easy to
understand how
families can overlook
that they are not
spending enough
quality time together.

3. There are many important
reasons why we need to slow
down, and step back from our
electronics and start spending
time together. Family time is
essential for a happy, healthy
family, with thriving parents
and children.

4. Connecting
and
Communicating
Spending time together
talking and actively
listening, engaging in eye
contact instead of being
distracted by our
environments has a big
effect on how we connect to
one another.

5. Listening to what
children are saying, and
being understanding can
keep parents in the
loop on their children’s
lives outside of the home.

6. It’s important that parents not
criticize their children or try to
fix anything at this time and
just hear what their children
are saying. This time is also a
good opportunity to talk with
teenagers about difficult
subjects.

7. Showing
Children
They
Matter
Family time is when parents
can give their children
positive encouragement.
Children whose parents are
involved in
their education tend to do
better in school and graduate
at higher rates. Taking time
to show your children you
appreciate them and
recognize their positive
accomplishments can help
build their confidence.

8. It’s important not to negate the
positive reinforcement by
criticizing. Affection such as
hugs, snuggles and hand
holding is another way to show
your children that you care.
Showing them that they
matter can help children
realize their place in the world,
and understand that they are a
significant part of it.

9. Teaching
Children
Values
Children learn
by observing their parents,
spending time as a family can
help them learn values.
They will see their parents
acts of kindness and the way
they stray from doing things
that are wrong or dangerous,
and will hopefully mimic their
behavior.

10. It is also a way to teach
them the importance of
family and being there
for one another and
accepting each other and
embracing differences.

11. There are many ways to
incorporate family time, from
sitting down as a family at
dinner, taking walks, doing
homework and playing board
games together. The goal isn’t to
stifle each other with too much
time together, nor is it to do
away screen time completely, it’s
about finding a healthy balance.