Quantity vs. Quality Time – Before they’re gone

Much has been said about quality time versus quantity time. It is a distinction that only adults and busy parents have. Children usually don’t make distinctions. To them quantity time is quality time. There can be no quality without a considerable measure of quantity. Too often the quality time argument is nothing but a feeble justification for giving less time and attention than we should to those we love.

I love this quote from a book by Brent L. Top and Bruce A. Chadwick called 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know. Unless we have a bond built by spending quantity time together, we won’t be able to find the quality timewe’re looking for with our kids.

As children grow older and become more involved in their own activities, they too become busy. That is all the more reason that time – the amount as well as the intensity – must be our most valuable currency of love.

They’re gone before you know it

These thoughts are ringing very true to us currently as our oldest son, Trevor, turns 16 next week. As those in the U.S. know, turning 16 is a big deal. At 16, kids can get their driver’s license and get a job. Add to that the increasing amount of time they spend with friends and extracurricular activities and it equates to less time with family.

We’re staring down the inevitable path that all parents face – that in just a few years, he’ll be off to seek his own way in the world. Time truly does fly and it’s up to us as parents to make the most of the time we have with our children to build strong relationships that last and teach our children the values we hold dear in our lives.

And those quality moments only come when we spend our quantity of time with them.

Have fun together

I love that in the book 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know the section with the quotes above is immediately followed by a section with the heading – Have Fun Together.

While our website may be called The Board Game Family, and while we definitely enjoy time together playing board games, that’s really just a fraction of the time we spend together. We also love doing all sorts of things together and participating in activities that the kids are involved in. For example, this week we haven’t played a single game. But we have been to Jaden’s junior high school play, Trevor’s high school play, and Caleb’s Cub Scout pinewood derby race.

We love hearing from people all over the world that share their thoughts with us about how important family time is for them. And even if playing family board games is just a small fraction of the time you spend with your family, we’re happy to support you in those endeavors.

Have a great week with your family!