How to Make Family Time a Priority, Even if You’re Busy
If your plans reflect your priorities, family time will be evident.
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Whether you are married, single, or living abroad, there are people in your life who deserve time with you. For some of us, family means your parents; for others, it’s your spouse and children. There are also plenty of people for whom a family is a group of carefully selected friends who have become irreplaceable. No matter how you define family, creating time for those you love is the easiest way to show them you care.
Having quality time with your children can have benefits throughout their entire lives. Children reap cognitive and emotional benefits from regular contact with their parents beginning as newborns. Children show the most significant cognitive growth when they spend time engaged in educational activities with their parents.
Studies show that parents find joy in engaging with their children. These benefits multiply, especially for women, when the activities focus on playtime and fun rather than childcare and household chores.
Spending quality time with your aging parents can help them live longer, happier lives. If you live a distance from them, setting a weekly time for a phone call or video call can help fill in the time between visits.
Having strong social bonds, with family, or friends who feel like family, is vital for your happiness as well. Happy people are more successful in all areas of their life. They build stronger relationships, work to spread their good fortune, and are more likely to engage in activities that are good for their health.
Don’t allow being busy to rob you of the benefits of maintaining these close relationships. By being proactive and taking control of your time, you can address all of your priorities each week.
Write a list of weekly goals
Many people like to spend time on Sunday planning their week. Before getting started with a plan, it is helpful to write a list of all the things you need to accomplish. This list includes places to visit, doctor’s appointments, time for learning, work obligations, and time for family and friends.
