I have been a father for almost 8 months and I have seen how quickly my priorities have changed. I have so much on my plate, that sometimes I have to spend a few minutes of the day with my daughter. I have been working from home these last 8 months and have the opportunity to be near my daughter but not focusing on her.
Making Time Will Keep Them Safer
Throughout my life I have seen the difference with parents that gave their kids material things and did not make the time for them. I have also seen how parents that provided very little on the material side but tried to spend as much time with them come out with better kids.
I am not psychologist; I am just expressing myself from my life experiences. Collectivly both parents did take time out to spend with my brother and I. My dad would never go out for drinks or party; he was always home. I think the third time I saw my dad have one too many drinks was at my 26th birthday. He was so happy he accidentally had to many beers in the tropical heat.
My mom was always with us. When my mom went to work, my dad stayed with us. My dad would take my mom to work and then drive me to school. Although I could have taken the bus my dad spent that extra time in the car in the mornings and afternoons with us.
When I was in high school, my dad was one of the first to arrive to pick us up. My parents were also the favorite parents to take on school field trips as chaperones. Most of my High School classmates really enjoyed spending time with my dad. Since he was very accepting of everyone, they would request my teachers to invite him on every trip.
I remember being a teenager how much I would get embarrassed by some of my dad’s behavior.My classmates enjoyed and had a blast with him. I really wonder if they where laughing with my dad or at him. My dad really did not care; he just made sure we all had fun.
I had Awesome Parents
Overall my parents did a great job making time for us.
The nature of how we interacted with others was different. I really think that at this day an age parents with so many distractions we need to make sure we are all on track of spending time with our kids.
If you don’t make time for your kids, how would you ever know what they are up too? How will you understand what there immediate needs are?
I am strong believer that those that make time for their kids keep them safer.
photo credit by zoutedrop
Raul, well I am a psychologist and I AGREE with what you say here. Research tells us that kids who are close with their parents (and not in a crazy ‘helicopter parent’ way) are protected from all sorts of risky behaviors. In fact, just having dinner as a family every night protects children from substance abuse, bullying, promiscuous sexual activity, depression. So forget the therapy and the prozac, just have dinner with your kids!! : )
A good read on this is Dan Kindlon’s “Too Much of a Good Thing.”