Quality Time For Kids

Quality Time for Kids

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Psalm 103:13

WE’VE HEARD A GREAT DEAL of talk about quality time in recent years. With busy schedules, more and more two-income families, and so many single parents, we are all pressured for time. But while adults are talking about quality time, children are starving for it. Indeed, if you have children, you may observe that much of their misbehavior is a cry for quality time. To the child, even negative attention seems better than no attention.

We’re fortunate that we never have to revert to negative behavior to get attention from God. Psalm 103 compares him to the best kind of father, full of tenderness and compassion for his children. When we speak, he hears. When we call, he is there. That’s a great example of giving quality time.

Quality time means giving a child your undivided attention. We have to do this when they are infants, but as they get older we often let other responsibilities pull us away from them. I challenge you to make time to look your children in the eyes, to listen as they talk, to ask questions, and to communicate to them, “You are important to me.” It’s time well invested. A closer relationship with your children will benefit your marriage as well.

Father God, thank you for always being available for me. Help me to fill that need for my children as well. Please give me the patience and wisdom to stop what I’m doing and give my child my undivided attention. Help me to communicate how much my children mean to me—and to you, too.

Children