5 minutes a day with children - too little or enough?

"Given today's fast pace of life and the amount of business obligations and worries that parents have, the question arises of how to compensate for the parental role in the best possible way. Parents usually buy toys, books or clothes, depending on the age and interests of their child , are trying to make up for their absence.

If a parent uses this method sometimes, that's okay. But if this is the method most often chosen, then he has not chosen the right way to make up for lost time.

Practice has shown that it is most effective when parents have 1:1 time with the child. It is most desirable that every day, for at least five minutes, the parent has an activity that he will carry out independently with the child. In that period of time, it is important that his focus is only on the child. It would be useful to give the child the opportunity to choose what he wants to play with the parent, or at an older age what the child would like to do with the parent (walk, watch a movie, play a game, talk, etc...). In the moments that the parent actively spends with the child, it is important to monitor the child's needs and praise desirable behavior.

If the parent is not physically present, today's technology has made it possible to make online contact, so it would be important for children to have daily communication with their parents.

It would be nice for parents to use their free days with their children outside of the area where they are most of the time. These can be trips in nature that will not require a financial burden, and will be precious for the child," concludes Šćekić - Todorović.

Regardless of the above, are there right and wrong ways for parents to express their love for their children?

We would say that any way that is based on love is correct, but that measure is crucial in everything.

Parents go through a series of doubts when it comes to their most important job. Naturally, their conscience gnaws at them because they are often absent on important occasions, and when they are there - they are often tired and thinking elsewhere. The dilemma is whether to choose a friendly or strict way of upbringing and then go to the extreme.

If it is too strict, the parent distances the child from himself. On the other hand, if it is too soft or inconsistent, it loses its authority. Healthy authority helps children see their responsibilities more clearly and adapt to the world that awaits them. Authority is not a manipulation of fear, but a mix of respect and trust, based on an open relationship full of appreciation.

No one, least of all your child, expects you to be perfect. Simply, enjoy the beauty of the natural imperfection of parenting. You don't have to get everything, they don't have to have everything. Material incentives are not a substitute for parental love. No, not that expensive toy either. Yes, there are already two of them, the same.

A hobby is great for your kids, but not just any hobby they show an affinity for. If it's just an unfulfilled desire of a parent or the result of his comparison with the neighbor's child, then it goes in a completely different direction.

Respecting the stages of a child's development also means accepting that a child is only as old as he really is and that it is very difficult for him to be at your age (it is different for you, you have already been at his age). That's why it's unnecessary to burden your children with what bothers you as adults, but also to shift the blame that you are very tired because you do so much to make them happy. Often they didn't even ask you for it, remember?

What the environment expects, what theory and other people's practice say - is not your problem. It is up to you to determine the optimal measure of attention and discipline towards your children. And when their actions are not so great - criticize the actions in a measured way, not their personality. What your little ones will really appreciate later on is consistency, both in beautiful and less beautiful things. Let him see from your example how to enjoy life, but also how to deal with responsibilities.

Parenting is not the famous dilemma - blue or red wire. Give yourself time and the right to make mistakes. However, what you shouldn't compromise on is the safety of your loved ones. Thinking about how much you are exposed to stress and burdened with obligations every day, we want to be part of the solution, not another problem. That's why UNIQA insurance offers you a product that covers all accidents that can happen to children both in kindergarten / school and outside them - accident insurance. An additional advantage is that you have the option of online payment, which saves you time that, let's go back a few steps through the text - you can focus on spending quality time with your loved ones.