Dr. Anthony P. Witham once said that “Children spell love… T-I-M-E.” These are powerful words to live by, but many parents and caregivers find that time is precious and short when raising children.

Despite the best intentions, the realities of life can easily derail plans to spend time with your children. Especially if parents/caregivers work full time and have a lot going on, then factor in afterschool and evening activities, and it can feel like it’s all you can do to eat dinner and get the kids to bed at a reasonable hour.

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Parenting Education Programs’ staff is here to assure you that it’s possible to make quality time with your child a part of your everyday routine, and it doesn’t have to be long.

Focusing a few minutes of uninterrupted time and attention with each child one-on-one each day can make a huge difference. If you have more than one child, then you might keep it to as little as five minutes per child each day.

Still not convinced that your time matters? Here are some reasons to prioritize time with your child.

1. Daily moments add up. Spending time with each child makes positive memories and develops a shared history. It’s in those everyday unscripted moments that the magic happens in relationships. The spontaneous fun, the belly laughs, and the small bonding moments often happen when you are focused on each other.
2. Let your child take the lead. It can be valuable to step into your child’s world and spend time how they would like. Open-ended, creative, or imaginative activities can allow your child to assert their developing personalities. You can learn a lot about them if you just enjoy your time with them and don’t try to correct or teach them during this time.
3. Engage your child in what you do. Other times, it’s good to bring your child into doing an activity you enjoy or even something you do out of necessity. It can help your child to better understand you and what you value. Contributing to the household can also boost their self-esteem. Helping you make a grocery list, sort socks and fold laundry, or chop veggies for the salad are all simple ways a child can spend time supporting their parents. 
4. It’s only a few minutes. Keep it simple. Take short breaks during your day to spend time with your child(ren). Set a timer to help everyone know when the break is ending. Give your child a two-minute warning when the time is winding down to ease the transition.
5. Plan for the occasional longer activity. Once a week or month, as you’re able, have an adventure with your child. Work on a longer project together or go someplace fun. Make it just the two of you if you can arrange for your spouse, a friend, or relative to take care of your other children for that extended time. Give your those trusted positive adults time to do this as well.  

Intentionally giving your child this regular attention will help them feel seen, heard, connected, and valued. This supports their overall development and reduces disruptive, attention-seeking behaviors.

If you need help thinking of things to do with your child, here is a list of ways to integrate short bursts of together time into your daily schedule, as well as some activities that require more time or planning. During Child Abuse Prevention Month this April and beyond, take time to incorporate these into your day: 

1. Play pat-a-cake
2. Play peek-a-boo
3. Enjoy tummy time
4. Cuddle
5. Blow bubbles
6. Play I-spy
7. Match or sort objects
8. Draw, color, or paint
9. Play with a ball
10. Build with blocks/Legos
11. Cook or bake together
12. Tell silly jokes
13. Eat a meal
14. Ride bikes
15. Read or make up a story 
16. Do a science experiment
17. Make a video
18. Go to the park or playground
19. Paint each other’s nails
20. Plant or tend a garden
21. Go on a scavenger hunt
22. Go bowling
23. Solve a puzzle
24. Go hiking or camping
25. Play pretend
26. Play card/board games
27. Make crafts
28. Build an indoor or outdoor fort
29. Do your child’s hair
30. Take walks
31. Have a dance party
32. Play or watch sports
33. Have a water balloon fight
34. Watch and discuss a movie or TV show 
35. Do chores together
36. Chat over coffee
37. Redecorate their room
38. Play a video game
39. Listen actively
40. Step into their world

 

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Fairfax County is a community that is absolutely dedicated to the safety of children and to providing the appropriate supports to parents to keep families healthy. The Department of Family Services’ signature Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention campaign is focused on Building Stronger Families.

Strong families can provide safe and healthy childhoods and lead to creating a thriving community.

 

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