Having a family with children can often leave you feeling rushed and stressed day to day. Our days are likely filled with some nagging, cajoling, and running from place to place. We try to de-stress by watching TV or taking a soothing bubble bath. The problem? We aren’t eliminating the stress but ignoring it. We are also forgetting the bigger picture: of spending quality time with family.

Children are children for only a short while. After a few years, they will quickly outgrow our company. Once a certain age hits, our children will grow up and leave home. The result is bittersweet. While we’re proud to have children grow into well-mannered and educated adults, we suddenly lose the precious time we once had with them.

To build a tight-knit bond with your children and spouse, it is crucial to spend quality time together. While it may sound easy, the reality is work and life stress tend to get in the way.  If your time and mind isn’t 100% dedicated to the other person, it will ruin your quality time together.

Here are 5 Ways You can Improve Quality Family Time:

1. Eat Dinner Together As a Family.Having the entire family sit down and enjoy a meal together each evening is an activity that will leave a positive impact on your children. This can be challenging for both working parents. However, with some creativity and determination, it is indeed possible. We encourage this daily activity because it provides a great opportunity for sharing what is on everyone’s mind. If you are feeling stressed, use this time to share your thoughts with the family, as it will help to put your mind at rest. It also provides a great opportunity to know what your children have been up to throughout the day. This is a simple activity that strengthens your relationships. Remember, even if you are feeling stressed, set it aside for an hour during dinner time. That short period of time, sharing stories and learning more about each other, will improve your overall quality time.
2. Put Away The ElectronicsTechnology has taken over most of our lives. We use technology on a daily basis, for communicating, for work, and for leisure. However, in this instance, technology is not welcomed during quality time. Schedule technology-free times during the day, where everyone puts their devices away and spends them together. Instead of watching TV or surfing the web, encourage your children to play games, do homework, or talk to each other. A bond is created through interaction, and unfortunately our mobile devices do not encourage this in the home. These times spent without technology will quickly become lasting and cherished memories for the entire family.
3. Create a Relaxing Environment In The EveningRight before bedtime, it’s best to set your family in the proper state of mind. No one wants to go to bed feeling stressed or angry. Create a calming environment by bathing young children and putting them in their pyjamas. Read them a bedtime story and help them drift off into the night. For older children, limit the use of TV and encourage them to do some light reading. These evening activities are less stimulating and will help everyone transition into peaceful bliss for bedtime.
4. Play Fun Games & ActivitiesSince children are curious, and adults are children at heart, a great way to create quality time is by playing game! Such games and activities include board games, coloring, puzzles, reading and charades. Whether you are a child or an adult, these activities are perfect for any age. That is what makes them so great. It encourages additional bonding time. Let your child choose the game and if you have more than one child, assign each child an evening to choose an activity.
5. Enjoy Every Opportunity for Family Time.Assigning children chores and other house related activities will help you spend additional quality time together. By doing chores together, you will tackle everything there is to do on your to-do and build a stronger relationship. This will also provide teaching opportunities for your child. They will learn how important it is to contribute in the home they live in. Chores that you and your child can complete together include walking the dog, raking leaves, washing the car and loading laundry.