Quality Time-Family Home Evening

“You’ve probably heard the term “quality time” mentioned as a way of assuring parents that it’s not how much time you spend with your child that matters, but what you do when you are together (Steinberg, pg. 50)”. Children form an attachment when they are infants and then as they grow they begin to have a bond with you as a parent. That bond can only happen when we set time aside to focus on the child and their interest. Quality time is not about doing what we like but really drawing our attention on the child and their wants. It is also removing all distractions and giving them what they need. When we do this we show our love and appreciation of who they are and what they are learning. I also like the other definitions that Steinberg gives for quality time; “Quality time is defined by your state of mind, not by a set of activities. It’s time where you are really engaged with your child (Steinberg, pg. 51)”. I point this out because the Lord has spoken to his prophets who then direct us in the things of the Lord. We have been counseled to hold Family Home Evening every Monday evening with our family. Family Home Evening helps to set aside time to be able to be with one another and have no disruptions. Heavenly Father knows how busy we are with our daily routines, but more important he knows the significance of our family relationships is. He knows that we needed guidance to understand that we can learn and grow so much when we are in our homes as a family. Family Home Evening is times to pray, sing, gain spiritual enlightenment, as well as share in some fun activities. As we do these things we come to learn more about each other and then we get to also teach our children that family quality time is important, eternally important. One example I think about often is when King Benjamin gathers his people, “And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another ( Mosiah 2:5)’. When we are together as a family we are more able to love, support and serve one another.