Quality time.

There’s no doubt about it…we are busy people. With so much to do, it is easy to forget to spend quality time as a family.

But what does that even mean? We talk about quality time, but may struggle with how to make it happen. According to Oxford Languages, quality time is defined as “time spent in giving another person one's undivided attention in order to strengthen a relationship, especially with reference to working parents and their child or children.”

If we want to improve our quality time, it starts with having a purpose- improving our family relationships! Plan to do things that will create conversation and fun for everyone. Be open to doing things that other family members want to do, and learn more about each other.

Having a hard time getting started? Here’s a simple idea- create a family time jar. Ask everyone to write down ideas of things they would like to do as a family and put them on folded pieces of paper in the jar. When it’s time, have someone pick a paper out the jar and do it!

Tips for family time jar:

• Agree to do the first item picked- no excuses! Remember, it’s not always about doing what you want, but about building relationships.

• On a budget? Write free on the ideas that don’t cost any money and select those when money is tight, and dollar signs on the ones that have a cost

• Take turns selecting papers out of the jar

• Help your little ones write ideas so they feel included

• Set a day and time each week to do this- that show that family time is a priority!

• Make one of your choices spending time in the pool!

Have fun!