#impact #lack #quality #family #time #development #children #adolescents #Emotional #wellbeing #Family #cohesion #Family #activities #HOMEFAMILY
“Quality family time refers to the space and moment in which family members interact, communicate and share their daily experiences, difficulties and successes in harmony and respect, which fosters affection, support , solidarity and play. What characterizes it is a joint agreement of all members to establish a space and time that is marked by emotional connection, full attention and listening, and mutual commitment to strengthen family ties. In short, this period of quality is essential today, since it allows us to cushion the stressors of daily life and helps to overcome all the challenges that this modern life demands of us,” said Dr. Ricardo De la Cruz Gil, psychologist and president of the family and couple committee of the College of Psychologists of Peru to Home and Family.
What is the impact of quality family time on the mental health and well-being of its members?
Quality family time plays a crucial role in the mental health of its members, because when families share and participate in meaningful and rewarding activities, it promotes a sense of belonging and emotional support, strengthens interpersonal relationships, reduces stress by provide a safe space to express feelings and contributes to greater satisfaction and overall happiness. It also helps members develop skills, such as communication, problem solving and empathy, as well as other essential skills to better face the challenges of daily life, said Alberto Alegre Bravo, psychologist and academic coordinator of the psychology degree. from Continental University of Florida.
“In the case of children, family time is extremely important, since it guarantees a safe and supportive environment, where they can explore their emotions, learn to express themselves and develop various skills to manage conflict and interpersonal relationships. In addition, it contributes to the development of their identity, healthy self-esteem, their social, cognitive and emotional abilities, as well as enhancing their general well-being. Through games, conversations and activities they learn norms and values that will allow them to interact positively with others in different social contexts throughout their lives.”
Spending quality time together encourages open communication, mutual understanding, and emotional connection between family members. These strong connections act as a buffer during difficult times and promote healthy, long-lasting relationships.
How does quality time affect family cohesion and intergenerational relationships?
Of course, when families spend quality time, emotional bonds are strengthened and a sense of unity and belonging is fostered, which, in turn, creates an environment where its members feel supported, understood and valued, thus favoring greater family cohesion.
“These interactions provide opportunities for different generations – grandparents, parents and children – to connect, share experiences and transmit values, traditions and knowledge. Certainly, being able to dedicate a significant and rewarding period of time with our loved ones fosters mutual respect, but it also allows us to create a sense of identity and family continuity,” said the psychologist from Continental University of Florida.
What are the long-term benefits of investing quality time in family?
According to the expert, providing quality time to the family benefits the following aspects:
- Stronger relationships, that is, emotional ties are strengthened and closer and more solid relationships are promoted between family members.
- It contributes to a sense of security and mutual support.
- Provides a safe space to express emotions, resolve conflicts and receive emotional support.
- Promotes better emotional well-being and greater resilience.
- Offers opportunities to develop and strengthen communication, problem-solving, teamwork, empathy and tolerance skills.
- It facilitates the transmission of traditions, values and beliefs, creating a sense of identity and shared belonging.
- It helps strengthen self-esteem and self-confidence in each of the members.
- It provides an invaluable support system during difficult times, providing comfort, guidance and encouragement when it is needed most.
- Create lasting and meaningful memories that last over time, generating a family legacy that is passed from one generation to the next.
What types of activities encourage quality family time?
There are many simple, but meaningful activities that families can do together to achieve an impact in strengthening family ties and producing unforgettable moments, it only takes the desire and commitment of all its members to be able to carry them out. . For this reason, Dr. De la Cruz suggested some activities:
- Sharing stories, narratives or anecdotes: Recounting our experiences in an environment of respect is an ideal alternative to nourish and strengthen the members as a solid family.
Investing time in the family allows the transmission of values and traditions from generation to generation. Shared experiences, such as celebrating holidays together, engaging in recreational activities, or simply talking about everyday life, are opportunities to transmit and reinforce core family values.
- Games: This is a powerful activity, especially if done as a family, since it helps cement the relationship, as well as allows us to connect with emotions and feelings of joy, happiness and love. Additionally, it helps mitigate conflicts and create moments that will be remembered by all members.
- Family vacations: Planning a time together in which we can discover new places and enjoy the company of our relatives is important, since it strengthens ties and generates shared memories that favor the balance and emotional well-being of the entire family.
- Cooking together: Preparing a meal or dessert as a family can be fun and educational, since everyone can participate in different tasks, thus improving interaction between members.
“Another activity that can foster family bonding is getting out into nature, whether going on a hike, having a picnic in the park, or simply taking a walk together outdoors can be a wonderful way to strengthen connection and bond. Likewise, doing art or craft projects as a family can be a creative and fun way to express yourself and work as a team. A movie night at home is also a very cozy option to spend quality time together,” said Alberto Alegre.
What impact does the lack of quality family time have on the development of children and adolescents?
Today’s society increasingly limits parents from being more present in the education and emotional development of their children. As mentioned by the president of the family and couple committee of the College of Psychologists of Peru, the lack of time leads to the absence of parents in the process of child and adolescent development, which brings with it a series of consequences on emotional balance, the development of self-esteem and can lead to feelings of abandonment and loneliness.
For his part, Alegre Bravo stressed that this could also cause a lack of connection and emotional bond between family members, as well as a series of difficulties in interpersonal relationships, thus limiting opportunities to develop social and emotional skills. It undoubtedly increases the risk of certain problematic behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, criminal behavior, and poor academic performance. Likewise, children and adolescents may be more likely to suffer from stress and anxiety, feeling disconnected and neglected by their families.
Quality family time provides a safe environment for family members to explore and express their emotions. This can foster greater self-awareness, emotion management skills, and emotional resilience.
“While the current demands of daily life and work affect time spent with family, parents must begin by valuing the time their loved ones need. Therefore, it is important that they be able to prioritize the most important aspects for the family and allocate time and energy accordingly. It is also essential that they create clear routines and schedules for work and other activities, in order to ensure that sufficient, quality time is dedicated to the family. Indeed, it is essential that this moment be truly quality, even if it is limited, therefore, it is necessary to be present physically and emotionally, in addition to dedicating full attention to the shared activities,” said De la Cruz Gil.
How can families adapt to changes and challenges to prioritize family time?
Family life is full of changes and challenges that can test a family’s ability to stay together and prioritize time together. From the birth of a child to a parent’s retirement, each stage of life presents its own unique challenges. However, families who are able to adapt to these changes and keep family time a priority can strengthen their bonds and create lasting memories. Therefore, one way to address changes effectively is through open and honest communication, which allows needs and concerns to be identified, and also helps to confront any problems that arise and find solutions together.
“It is critical that members be flexible and willing to adjust their routines and expectations as necessary to accommodate changes in family circumstances. Likewise, identifying and prioritizing family activities and commitments can help ensure that family time is not compromised by other demands, which may mean saying no to certain outside activities in order to reserve time to be together as a family. Without a doubt, fostering an environment of mutual support within the family system can help all members face challenges more effectively. This may involve working together to overcome difficulties and celebrating each member’s achievements. It is also important that members can periodically review family priorities and routines to ensure they remain relevant and satisfactory for everyone, making some variations if necessary.
Recommendations to strengthen family time
Definitely, in a world where time is a scarce and valuable resource, finding ways to optimize family time becomes crucial. Therefore, the Continental University of Florida specialist recommended the following strategies to maximize quality family time:
- Establish a regular family time schedule.
- Prioritize quality over quantity of time together.
- Encourage disconnection from digital distractions during family time.
- Involve all members in planning family activities, to increase everyone’s commitment and participation.
- Be creative with family activities, without being afraid to try new activities together.
- Make family time a priority on the agenda and adjust other commitments accordingly.
- Make the most of the small everyday moments to talk and connect as a family.
