Just saw an article on Yahoo Shine that a study says working moms spend an hour and a half per day with their children (pretty short article didn't explain what was counted). Made me think about how much Quality time I get with my DD- this does not include driving in the car or plopping her down in the jumperoo while I start dinner/wash bottles/go through the mail etc. I would say I get about 2hrs of quality time with her, plus another half hour of sleepy morning cuddle time with I BF before work.
How much Quality time do you spend with your children per day?
Re: Poll: How much quality time per day?
I read another article that said you only need to spend about 20 quality minutes with your kids a day. I bet SAH moms don't get 12 quality hours with their kids either with all the stuff they are expected to do. Don't sweat it too much.
If you tally up reading books before bed and some play time before dinner, the quality time is about an hour on weekdays, more on weekends. And I squeeze in quality 5 minutes of time when I can, like in the line for groceries or have her help me make dinner. Plus I like to think the nutritious meals I make while she's asleep count, as well as the money I earn to take her on fun vacations, pay for her good school and her top-notch health insurance have to count for something too.
She knows I love her and that's what really matters.
met DH 1995 ~ married DH 2006 ~ completed our family 2008
Life is good!
about an hour a day - 45 min - hour at night; 15-30ish minutes in the morning.
I think she's getting alot of quality time at school with her teachers and friends and while I'm not literally THERE with her, my income is providing that experience for her.
I don't really think most of this accounting/tallying is very helpful. Its just another way to compete w/ other parents.
I'm sorry I wasn't trying to compete or make anyone feel bad. I was just generally curious how other moms feel. I have a really long commute added to the time I do have with my LO.
I know - but just do the best you can! Some people get no time a day - or just minutes. There were days when DD was really young that I felt like I got 10 minutes. but, what can you do? Your LO needs to sleep - that's a 100x more important than you reading a book to them to alleviate your own guilt about being away, etc.
How is quality time defined? I think some people define it too closely (one on one interaction). I don't think it is so minuet. If we are at home, I am always available for my children. If they need me at school/daycare, I will come running (as applicable). I may not be able to do what they ask, when they ask but I make sure their needs are being met. Bath time can be quality time, watching a movie together and cuddling can be quality time, helping with home work, settling a game, talking about interactive play, reading, it happens sometimes in passing-in a blink, sometimes in long stretches, sometimes with all three of my children at the same time, sometimes with only two (two boys taking a bath) but rarely one-on-one. I can interact with them while I cook. My kids may not get a lot of one-on-one interaction with me but they know they are loved unconditionally, they know who their mother is and they know I am their biggest advocate. They come to me when they are sad, mad, lonely, happy, excited, etc. They have siblings to help occupy their time with play. Kids need to have their own time to explore, to learn to get along with others, to unwind after school/daycare, to be kids...
So, instead I will answer that I am available for my children 24-7, I am with my children 6-8am and 4-8pm, but all of my time is devoted to help them achieve the things they need/want and help them become the person they are going to be.
Will baby #3 be another girl?
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TOTALLY agree with this. Very well said, shopgirl!
Will baby #3 be another girl?
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I haven't read all the responses but I wanted to ask why driving time couldn't be quality time? I sing and talk to DS on our drive home from daycare. Always have. Why doesn't that count?
And I am starting to hate these "How much time ::insert guilt inducing question here:?" posts. Instead of counting the minutes, why not just enjoy them?
Is your child nurtured, confident, attached, happy and healthy? If so, then it is all good.
This kind of question only serves to make women feel badly.
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