“We’re off to piano lessons,” I called, ushering my daughter to the door. “Hang on,” my husband said. “Do we have anything else going on tonight?” I paused to think. “It’s Thursday, right? Isn’t there a scout meeting?” Right on cue, our son strolled into the kitchen. “Yep. Who’s taking me?” He looked expectantly from one of us to the other.
Pulled in different directions with lessons, games, and other kid activities, we don’t seem to get enough quality time together. But according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, most of us find it’s the most important thing we can do in our lives. So, if you’ve got a full calendar of places you need to go, here’s permission to make cancellations and 5 reasons spending quality time with family benefits your crew.
1. Family time builds kids’ self-confidence.
“Let’s play Apples to Apples,” I said after dinner. My daughter jumped up to get it while my teenage son groaned. “Really?” I put my arm around him. “It’ll be fun.” He wanted to hang out in his room, but I wanted to spend time with him. I was happy to see that not long into the game, he relaxed and even started smiling.
It’s good for them. Spending quality time with family sends your kids the message they’re valued. And it’s a good boost to their confidence to feel important to you. Pediatrician Cassandra Graeff of Atrium Health says, “Healthy, strong family relationships are positively linked to improved self-esteem in children and teens.” You don’t have to play a board game for your kids to benefit. Simple, but meaningful interactions work too. Think family dinners, walking the dog, or talking during a car ride.
2. Family time increases kids’ happiness and satisfaction in life.
“Can I play Minecraft?” my daughter asked. “Sure. For a bit. But then we’re going to do something fun together.” Her eyes lit up. “What is it?” I paused, relishing her piqued interest in what we might do.
Today, kids have so many more flashing toys and tech options than we did as kids. And they can be hard to step away from. But deep-seated happiness comes from human connection, not a screen. Riley Children’s Health encourages families to spend quality time together: “Children who spend more time with their parents do better at school and are happier on average than those who spend less time with their parents.” Kids who feel loved are more satisfied with everything else happening in their lives too. We can show our love by spending time together as a family. Check out iMOM’s 30-Day Family Time Challenge for some fun ideas!
3. Family time improves health.
Last weekend, our family did something we don’t usually do: We played 18 holes of mini golf. We joked around, had fun and got a little exercise in the process. What does your family like to do together? Do you find your kids sleep better on those nights?
Spending quality time with family is good for your physical and mental health. Rosie Shrout, assistant professor of human development and family studies at Purdue University, says that “Spending more time with loved ones can help decrease feelings of loneliness or isolation and reduce depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress.” It can also improve sleep and provide more opportunities for healthier behaviors such as exercise.
4. Family time reduces stress.
“I don’t have time to play,” my son said. “C’mon,” I replied. “Let’s just toss the football for five minutes. Not long.” He sighed, got up from his homework, and joined me outdoors.
After we played catch for a bit, my son returned to his work, but his tense shoulders had dropped, and he had a better attitude. According to Riley Children’s Health, spending quality time with family lowers stress. The American Heart Association also found that “91% of parents say their family is less stressed when they eat together.” So, something as simple as having dinner as a family could be an easy solution to household stress.
5. Family time strengthens the parent-child bond.
Walks and coffee with friends are fun and good for our well-being. But prioritizing quality time with family is going to be better for your kids and your relationship with them. The benefits are too big to ignore. Kids who have a warm, supportive relationship with parents who spend time with them are less likely to be depressed or have behavior issues.
Read or craft together. Ride bikes or watch movies. Join them for their after-school snack. Tackle chores as a team. There are lots of ways to make spending quality time with family fun not just for them but for you too.
What other ideas can you share for readers who are interested in spending quality time with family?
