Quality family time

I always wondered what this statement meant. On evenings throughout the week and weekends I was with my family and we did things. Sometimes it was trip to a restaurant, another day it was meeting our friends, yet on another it was going to wife's parents' place.

But something still was not right. I was getting irate and annoyed by minor details and especially (I'm not proud of admitting this) my six year old son. When he asked me questions, when he didn't hear what I instructed him on the first say, when he did something I didn't approve of.

For some this may sound as though something's wrong with me. At the same time I was thinking that I'm the worst parent ever. The assertion of the former fact is correct - it was all about me and my attitude towards my son and wife.

I realised this today. It was the same as usual - we did not have a specific plan of action apart from my wife teaching a Sunday school Korean class for kids. After it we went back home. What I did differently however, is that I spent the day how my son wanted it. We skipped the museum as I convinced him that when the weather is nice outside it's better to enjoy some fresh air. We went riding bike in the nearby park and later in the evening got to do some ice-skating. The security guard at the venue didn't even charge us anything saying, "you got your own skates? Then just go and skate".

They sound like little things but this bonding, which allowed us to have the closeness in a way my lovely son wanted it to be, was what lead me to seriously rethink how I had misunderstood the meaning of spending quality time with my family.

Learning of the day - when you have kids always analyse the state of happiness and wellbeing of your family by how your kids relate to you in the end of the day. If they listen to your every word, can't stop talking about the time you spent together, bath and get into bed with a smile on their face then, you can tell their heart has been filled with love and care for the day.

This is something they will remember for the next days, weeks, months and even more because they share the story over and over again ;)

Love your kids, listen to them and understand them. It's the key to their heart.