When you think of quality time with your family, does your heart start racing? Do you feel a weight in the pit of your stomach? Does your mind automatically begin thinking that there aren’t enough hours in the day to fit in more activity? If so, I’ve got some simple, but useful tips for you.

Family time is important. But not just family time—quality family time is extremely important to your children’s health. When you provide a well-balanced life for your children as they grow, you’ll raise healthy and happy kids.

So what constitutes “quality time”? A lot of parents have the mistaken perception that quality time means spending more money on their kids. The truth is you don’t necessarily have to spend more money just to have some quality time with your kids.

How To Find Extra Time

One of the most frequently asked questions every parent has is, “How do I find extra time to spend with my family?” There is no easy way to do this, so be prepared to make sacrifices. Think about the memories you’ll be making with your children and the sacrifices will pale in comparison. Commit to your children. More than anything, you should show a commitment to your child. This will let them know that you care and love them above all else.

You might:

• Ask for fewer hours at work.
• Take your vacation early this year.
• Join a school carpool with other moms.
• Cancel your weekly beauty appointment.

Ideas For Quality Time

Once you decide what things are worth sacrificing to spend more time with your family, you might try some of these ideas. Some require little time, while others require more.

· Read to your children. If you have younger children, they will love story time with you. Studies have shown that reading with your children will help them learn to read as well. It only takes a few minutes to read a book or two.

· Watch an old movie together. You might be surprised at how much your kids would love an old movie. Make it a fun family event. Set a special night and time each week to get together as a family to watch a classic movie. Even if the movie is cheesy, you’ll all get good laughs together from watching it. Your children will also learn to appreciate things from the past.

· Learn about your children’s interests. Help your children develop their interests by talking to them about things they enjoy doing. Sometimes your child might feel embarrassed and not want anyone to know what they’d like to do. You can help them develop their interests by sharing some of your own. Then plan a fun day for you to explore those interests together. For example, if your child expresses interest in painting, visit an art museum then purchase a paint set for her to practice.

· Eat a meal together. This tip is always given, and yet it seems like so few families enjoy meals together. So I thought it befitting to express the importance of this again. Meal time together as a family can be a wonderful time of talking about the day’s events and bonding as a family. Families who eat meals together, even if it’s only once per week, develop stronger relationships.