How Much Time Do You Spend with Your Child?

There is a popular adage that goes like this, “Children spell love T-I-M-E.”

It’s not just a clever saying, it’s true. Now, there are going to be stages in your parenting journey when it seems that your child doesn’t want to be around you at all, but that doesn’t mean they still don’t perceive your love in the desire to.

The average dad spends three minutes per day per child in some sort of meaningful conversation.

That would be saying something other than comments like, “Sit down and shut up,” “Take out the trash,” “Clean up your room,” “Do your homework,” and “Feed the dog.”

Now, let’s say the average mom spends six minutes per day communicating with each child. In one year, the grand total for both parents engaging in quality communication with their child would be 2.25 twenty-four-hour days out of 365.

The Bible talks about the importance of parents teaching their children the Word of God, and to do that requires time and effort. In Deuteronomy 6:7 (TLB) it says, “You must teach them (God’s commandments) to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk; at bedtime and the first thing in the morning.”

Mom and Dad, if we are going to have influence in our children’s lives so we can train them up the way they should go, we need to be spending a lot more time with them.

WHAT TO DO WITH THAT TIME

THE TAKE AWAY

Talk to your kids. Learn about their interests. Listen to their silly conversations. Talk to them about God. Develop a relationship with your kids when they are young, and work to maintain it as they get older.

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