Make Time for Your Children. Try These 3 Ways!

Time is something that is important in the life of a person. This is because all our activities are limited by it. And once it passes, it will never return again. When someone gives their time, they are also giving a part of their life.

This is especially true for you, parents. Managing time with children is a big challenge, especially if you and your spouse work. If you arrange your schedule poorly so that time with your children is neglected, that is certainly not good for your relationship with your children.

So, how do you make time for your children? Here are a few tips you can try.

1. Set Priorities

“As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was very busy with all the serving. She came to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." – Luke 10:38-42

Martha had invited Jesus to come to her house for a meal. While Martha was busy preparing the food, her sister Mary did not help but sat at the feet of Jesus listening to what He said. Imagine Martha was already tired, and when she asked Jesus to have Mary help her, Jesus instead answered by saying that Martha was worried and troubling herself.

This story teaches us about the right priorities in dividing our time. Mary understood the right priority. Listening to the Lord is far more important than being busy with other things. 

Is Giving Time to Children a Priority?

As parents, we also have priorities. Our top priorities are God, our spouse, and then our children. Because this is a priority, we need to give time to our children. Set aside special time for your children, for example on the weekend. Set time aside, do not just leave leftovers. If it is only what is left over, especially with your busy schedule, there may never be any time at all.

One of the best decisions we ever made as parents after understanding priorities was devotions with the children. We have a family worship service every Sunday. Why do we do this? Because children are one of our priorities. They are entrusted to us by God. And we also want them to grow into children who fear the Lord. 

If all this time we have always found it difficult to divide our time with our children, do we still see them as a priority? There is no such thing as being too busy. People will always have time for the things they consider important. 

2. Prepare a Consistent Schedule

“Then Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath days He taught the people. They were amazed at His teaching, because His words had authority.” – Luke 4:31-32

Jesus chose to teach people every Sabbath day. This was the right time because on the Sabbath the Jews usually gathered in large numbers at the house of worship. Jesus did not do it for one Sabbath and finish, but it says on the Sabbath days. That means it was done consistently every Sabbath.

My wife and I realize that time for our children is important and do not want anything else to get in the way. Therefore, we carry out the schedule we have made consistently. In my opinion, consistency can build a better quality of relationship. It also indirectly tells the children how much we always want to have time with them. Also, they can learn to value the time God has given.

We set a goal of having dinner together at least three times a week. We also make an effort to take a family vacation every year. Whatever schedule you make, do it consistently. Children will feel valued by their parents. This is one of their emotional needs that must be met.

3. Give Quality Time

“Then the apostles gathered around Jesus again and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then He said to them, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." For so many people were coming and going that they did not even have time to eat. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6: 30-32

Jesus chose quality time to pray to the Father very early in the morning, while it was still dark. Besides quality time with the Father, Jesus also had special time with the twelve apostles. It is told that after teaching the crowds, they went to a quiet place where there were only Jesus and the twelve apostles.

Besides time together as one family, there is also special one-on-one time with them. For example, father with child. On another occasion, mother with child. And if you have more than one child, you can do it in turns.

Things you can do include, for example, going together to a place that is special for the child. Let them choose the place. Usually the place they choose depends on their age. My child likes going out for dinner. When you are with your child, try to listen more, not immediately give advice, or overreact. Parents must be able to process and validate their emotions, to be their friend when they laugh and cry. At times like this, I can also teach them important things.

Children also like hearing stories about their parents’ childhood, how their parents met and eventually got married. It is okay to tell of failures or laugh at yourself. You must be real as you are so that your child can also be real as they are.

Right now, my children are 14 and 16 years old. I have stored up a lot of quality time with them since they were little, and it continues to this day. And I have never regretted creating moments with them. - Time is one of the best things you can give your children. So many children are not emotionally healthy because their parents do not have time for them. Financial provision alone is not enough. They need relationship, affection, your time, and your attention as well. Believe me, the time you invest in them will never be wasted. 

Begin setting the right priorities. Your children are one of those priorities. Then make a consistentschedule. Also, give them quality time. By giving something important - in this case, time - I believe they will grow into children who are emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy. 

Source: www.medium.com/thrive-global/you-have-time-for-everything-its-just-a-matter-of-priority-f586b10828cc -  Related Articles:

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