Real Life Minute: Quantity Time

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Quantity Time

Some parents comfort themselves with the line, “Kids don’t need quantity time. I give them quality time—that’s all that matters.” And quality time is important, but you know what’s more important? Lots and lots of time.

I had an uncle when I was six or seven years old who would sit next to me and watch Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I doubt he was into that show—at least, not as much as I was. It wasn’t quality time, but it was quantity time, and some of my best memories as a seven year old. My Uncle Dan was telling me something just by sitting there with me.

You know what “lots” of time communicates to kids? That you’re worth it. That you’re worth me, as a grown man, just wasting time on. That a kid is valued above whatever other important adult stuff you have to get to.

And you just can’t communicate that by little scheduled bursts of quality time.

#shorts

[marykasprzyk]

Chris, you have really expressed something I feel every child is looking for. Thank you and God Bless!

[lillybp]

How true Chris. I have a 23 year old niece. I remember when she was little I used to watch cartoons with her, Sagwa, the Teletubbies, Barney, etc. I sometimes would pick her up at school, take her to ballet class, etc. I took her to her Cathechism classes for her First Communion and Confirmation. My niece is a wonderful person, caring and thoughtful. May God bless her always.

[usuarioaaron]

Than you Chris for this beautiful insight.

[lupepennington]

Chris I share with my nieces in México, since they are bilingual, traduce the message to my sisters into Spanish, so they can understand your message. Gracias/thank you Chris!

[anthonysalatino]

One of my nephews asked “could you watch me color?”

[plusbonus]

I'm always trying to take my Son hiking or boating or to the beach but he just wants to game non stop.
When I insist we go out he sulks until we start heading home again .
He actually enjoys lockdown !