Remember That Quality of Relationship Matters More Than Quantity of Hours
Ever feel like your calendar is the boss and your kid is just penciled in somewhere between Zoom meetings and existential dread? Newsflash: it’s not about clocking overtime in the Parenting Olympics—it’s about squeezing the juice out of the minutes you do have. If you’ve ever tried to bond over a rushed bowl of cereal or a bedtime story read at double speed, this is your jam. Spoiler: it’s less about counting hours, more about making them count (even if you’re both in mismatched socks).
Kids develop secure attachments and stronger emotional regulation when they feel seen and valued, even in small bursts. For parents, focusing on quality over quantity reduces guilt (hallelujah!), builds resilience, and actually lights up the reward centers in your brain—hello, dopamine! It’s like a neural high-five for both of you.
How to do it
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Let go of any guilt about not spending "enough" time—there's no prize for logging the most hours.
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Choose a few small rituals to share with your child. These could be:
- Silly dances
- Bedtime high-fives
- Secret snack time Go all in on these rituals, even if you only have five minutes.
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Put your phone in another room to avoid distractions (yes, really).
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Give your child your full attention:
- Make eye contact
- Listen like you mean it
- Allow yourself to be a little goofy
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Remember, consistency matters more than duration. A five-minute connection every day is better than a distracted hour once a week.
