ask the expert
QAS A busy working parent, how can I find time to play with my children?
ATANITH CAREY, author of Mum Hacks: Time-saving Tips To Calm The Chaos Of Family Life, says: “It’s true that parents are busier than ever. The number of dual-income households today has hit a record high. However, it is essential to find time to play with your children.
“When you’re both tired and short of time after work or at weekends, it can be tempting to be concerned with finishing off other chores, before sitting down with your child to play.
“But while it’s true you’ll never have more hours in the day, you can prioritise the time you do have.
“Remember the importance your children place on spending time with you – new research from children’s activity website Kindernauts.co.uk recently revealed that kids pick their mum and dad as their preferred playmate, over superheroes and celebrities.
“In fact, by carving out a bit of one-on-one time each day for a play activity (as little as 10 or 15 minutes), you will be making your life easier in the long-run.
“That’s because if you let your child decide on the activity, you will find they’ll be more co-operative in other areas of life, like homework and socialising with others. “They will feel more secure in the knowledge there’s a time each day when they have your full attention – and won’t need to demand it in other ways, by acting up or throwing tantrums.
“Give it a try – I promise you will see quick results.”