If there is one word that would best describe the way people live nowadays I would say it would be MANIC. We live in such a fast-paced world and everyone is almost always busy doing something. If it isn’t work. It’s having fun. It’s so weird that even when it comes to fun people tend to get a bit manic. We’re all rushing around but little do we realize that more often than not we’re headed fast to nowhere. Or maybe somewhere. But the thing is, it is rarely towards the direction that really matters. What’s worse is that the most important things often get sacrificed in the process.

To me family is most important. It is the reason why we strive for a better job and to get a higher paycheck. Of course we also strive to get jobs we love. Self-improvement and self-fulfillment are also very important but if you have a family you will realize that you are not (and should not) be living primarily for yourself. In fact, I believe that if you aren’t ready to make huge sacrifices then you’d better pause and wait till you get a family of your own.

If family is the most important thing then it means that we should always make sure that it stays that way. It shouldn’t be run over by the demands of your job or anything else you deem important. It is very important that you make space in your very busy schedule to spend some time EVERY SINGLE DAY with your family. Quality time with the family doesn’t always mean spending just a full day with your wife and kids on some luxurious getaway. The key to the phrase is and always will be TIME. Yes quality time is very important but to me unless you spend lots of time with your family then quality time is just an excuse, a phrase you throw around to escape the fact that you aren’t really there for them. Quantity IS part of the quality. Think about it. Any kid would prefer to spend an hour or two with their parents each day doing nothing special and just enjoying each other’s company than going to the zoo or some special place once a month. By the way an hour a day is the minimum in my book.

If you find yourself spending less than the ideal time with your kids (and ideal is defined not by literature but by how much your kids need YOU and not your money) then you’d better do some reflecting because some changes ARE required. It is time to stop hiding behind the guise of quality time.

Related Articles



2 Responses

  1. Jay

    10|Jun|2007

    Oops, your blog hit me in the guts(but only mildly). Yes, there are many people out there hiding under the cloak of “giving quality time” to their family when they’re actually trying to give themselves more “quality time” with whatever interests them more than their family.
    Temptations, temptations, temptations — they’re everywhere.
    But you’re right, Hannahgrace, the family is still the best option, the Number One source of joy and fulfillment for all of us.

  2. jencc

    29|Jul|2007

    totally agree with you. wrote something on momex about that as well.


Leave a reply