Mum’s the Word: Quality Time for Working Parents 101

Friday, July 17, 2015

Briauna Skye McKizzie, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Just because we are away from home for 9-10 hours a day doesn’t mean that we can’t have quality time with our kids too. Photo Credit: Heather Terry Photography (Image Cropped)

Unlike the “good ‘ol days” in Mayberry, North Carolina, most households today are made up of families where all the parents work.

In fact, whitehouse.gov explains that currently 6 out of 10 families have households where both parents work. On the other hand, in 1965, only 4 out of 10 families had these types of households.

In light of this, many people wonder if they are spending enough time with their little ones or if they’re missing out on all the precious moments.

After all, it’s not uncommon anymore for both parents to miss out on seeing their child’s first step and “face meets floor” experience.

Sure, the really young children won’t remember or care very much who is changing their diaper. However, the older children become, the more they will notice when Mom or Dad isn’t around.

Parents often become stuck in an emotional rut because of this. We need to pay bills and save for emergencies, but we also don’t want our kids feeling neglected because we aren’t around all the time. Sometimes, parents even feel guilty as they compare their lives and relationships with families who have one parent who stays at home full-time.

However, just because we are away from home for 9+ hours a day doesn’t mean that we can’t have quality time with our kids too. In fact, I have come up with a list of tricks to make the most of the short amount of time that working parents do get with their children.

See Slideshow Below

Related Slideshow: Mum’s the Word: Quality Time for Working Parents 101

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1. Hands Free Evenings

We may think we are spending time with someone just because we’re sitting next to him or her, but chances are if you have your phone out you’re probably not really “present.” No, instead of listening to your child tell you about their day, you’re probably merely nodding your head while checking your bank account or browsing posts on Reddit. So make a promise to yourself and to your family that for just one or two hours a day, everyone will put their electronics in a drawer and spend time actually engaging with one another and looking each other in the eyes. C’mon it’s just one hour.

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2. Creative Errands

Errands are a necessity no matter how many hours you are working. There’s always going to be an oil change that needs to get done or a trip to the DMV that needs to grudgingly be made. So make the most of these situations that you aren’t able to get out of.

Instead of going to the regular grocery store, go to the farmer’s market with your kids. That way, you can pick up crates of eggs and let the kids get their face painted.

At the DMV, bring along coloring books or a deck of cards. After all, you know you’ll be there long enough to gestate your next baby. So you may as well have some fun.

Photo Credit: Portland Saturday Market (Image Cropped)

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3. Norman Rockwell Dinners

Eating in front of the TV is almost always a bad idea. You’ll drop crumbs in the hard to reach crevices of the couch, and moreover you more than likely won’t be having any meaningful conversations.

Since eating food is one of those necessary activities that we can’t get out of matter how busy we get, make the most of it.

Sit down around the table and give Mr. Rockwell a scene worthy of painting.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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4. Turn off the Radio

Unless you’re the Von Trap family and music is the way you bond, turn off the radio during part of your commute to or from school or daycare. Take five minutes in the car to just talk to one another. Make the most of the mundane drive.

You don't need to hear that new Maroon 5 song anyway. Trust me, it sounds exactly like the last one they played twenty minutes ago.

Photo Credit: IMDB (Image Cropped)

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5. Take the Road Less Travelled

Yes, there are many legitimate and good reasons why each parent might choose to work or why a single parent needs to work two jobs instead of just one. However, take a minute and examine your real needs. Are there any ways you can cut back on your monthly spending to where you wouldn’t need as high of an income? Or perhaps brainstorm some ways where you can make money from home instead of working in an organization that doesn’t provide enough paid time off to meet your family’s needs.

Get creative.

You don’t have to be a rat in the race if you don’t want to.

If you have the shoes for it, take the road less traveled and spend more time at home.