If you have children, it can be easy to fall into a pattern of rushing from place to place, nagging and cajoling them to do chores and homework, or zoning out into your own world to de-stress in front of the TV or behind a newspaper. When we are rushed and under stress, we often forget about the big picture. Children are not young forever. They quickly outgrow our company and want to spend more time with their own friends, and eventually they grow up and leave home.

To build a close relationship with your children and spouse, it is important to spend quality time together. Don’t let work and life stresses take over and ruin your most important relationships.
Try these tips for creating quality family time:

1. Eat together as a family.
   The one activity that has the greatest positive impact on children is sitting down, together as a family to eat dinner each evening. Although working parents can find this ritual challenging to maintain, often with some creativity and determination, they can find a way to make it work. Mealtimes are a great opportunity to share stories about your day, talk about goals and dreams, and learn about each other. Although you may be feeling stressed about other things, set aside meal times to focus on your family. Keep the conversation interesting and light-hearted and save more serious discussions for later.
2. Turn off the television and other electronic devices.
   Too often we allow technology to take over our lives. We get mesmerized by the TV, consumed by surfing the Internet, or addicted to reading and responding to email and text messages. Declare technology-free times when everyone puts away the technical devices and spends time interacting with each other — do homework, play board games, talk, and play together. Times spent interacting and bonding with family creates warm and lasting memories for years to come.
3. Set a calm and relaxed mood for the evening.
   Bathe young children and put them in their pyjamas. Allow them to choose a book for a quiet story time at the end of the day. Limit TV time for older children and encourage them to read quietly before bed. Keeping evening activities less stimulating helps everyone transition into sleep.
4. Find fun games and activities.
   Children are curious and fun loving. Board games, coloring, guessing games, acting, and reading are all things you can do together as a family. Allow the children to choose the evening activity. If you have more than one child, assign each child an evening to choose the family activities.
5. Enjoy other opportunities for family time.
   Including children in chores and activities required around the house gives you more opportunities to be together and build quality time. It also teaches children to contribute to the home where they live. Take them with you when you walk the dog. Ask them to help you rake the leaves, wash the car, or load the laundry. These activities may take a little more time with the children as helpers, but their happiness and feeling of involvement far outweighs the inconvenience.

Remember…the emails will still be there, TV shows can be recorded to watch another day, but Family Time waits for no-one.