How to Spend Quality Time
with Your Kids
This morning I glanced at my schedule
for the coming weekend. Four baseball
games dominate the landscape, along
with a list of household chores and
errands longer than any one man should
have to face. And these are supposed to
be my days off!
The Bible says that children are a
reward from the Lord, and blessed is the
man whose quiver is full of them (Psalm
127). I have certainly found that to be
true. But I’ve also found that the fuller
my quiver gets (I’ve got five beautiful
little arrows), the harder it is to find the
time to give each child the attention
they need and deserve.
Can you relate? If so, here are eight
things I do to develop my relationships
with my kids, in spite of a hectic
schedule.
1. Take one child along on a short trip
Last year I had a speaking engagement
in Kamloops, several hours away from
my home, and I took my daughter
Hannah with me. The time we spent
together in the car that day was
invaluable, and now she always asks me,
“Dad, when are we going to go on a trip
together again?†A one or two day trip
like this is a great chance for you to
connect with one of your kids.
2. Give them nicknames
Each of my kids has a nickname that no
one else has. We’ve got Mouse, Bear,
Bird and Monkey (a few more and we
may start a zoo!). These nicknames tell
them, “You know what? You’re special.â€
3. Take them on dates
I try to have regular dates with each of
my children. Like my wife, they deserve
to have my undivided attention every
once in awhile. This is more than just
letting them come along as I run
errands. I build the time around them,
doing things they enjoy and just talking
together.
4. Ask them questions
What would you do if you had a million
dollars? If you could choose to have any
superpower, what would you choose? Of
all the sports you play, what is your
favorite and why? You can learn a lot
about your kids, their values and their
dreams by asking questions like this.
5. Eat one meal together each day
In our home breakfast is chaos, and by
lunchtime we are scattered to the four
winds. But as much as possible we try
to have dinner as a family. This is our
time to reconnect and recharge after a
busy day. It’s our chance to celebrate
victories, and to help each other through
the tough things.
6. Pray together at night
Every night before bed I pray with my
kids in their rooms. We pray about their
past, their present and their future. We
thank God for sending His Son for us.
We pray about their current needs and
concerns. And we pray together for their
future spouses, asking God to cause
them to grow in faith and purity.
7. Be available
Our children need to know that they are
more important to us than anything else.
My kids have permission to call me on
my cell phone anytime they need to. My
oldest son calls regularly just to say,
“Hey Dad! I love you!â€
8. Put their activities into your schedule
My Palm Pilot is filled with my kids’
practices and games. I can’t always
make it to all of them, but as much as
possible I am there to cheer them on. I
don’t want to miss their big moments!
The Bible speaks of children as arrows. I
picture myself taking aim, pulling back
the bow and launching them into the
world. The target that they hit depends
in large part on the amount that I invest
in them today. Does it take effort? Yes.
Are there tough choices sometimes?
Yes. Is it worth it? Definitely.
