We breathe in a world of prevalent screen time and inescapable social media platforms, to a point where many of us have become less than social in ways that is not only repulsive, but also detrimental to our mental and physical well-being. A 2019 study from the American Journal of Health Promotion highlighted that excessive social media use is one of the clear symptoms of underlying loneliness.
Human beings are a social species that rely on complex social mechanisms to survive and thrive. Our social attributes lie at the heart of our human lives and society at large—from our daily interactions to our greatest milestones and achievements. Many of us have heard of the proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child” which metaphorically means it takes an entire community of people to nurture and positively influence a child to grow in a safe and prosperous environment.
Beyond taking care of the essential needs of children (food, shelter and safety), the role of the parents’ is of crucial importance for establishing psychological safety and overall personality development. The benefits of spending physical face-to-face time with children is a critical component for a full and meaningful life. Remember, family doesn’t necessarily have to be considered blood relatives. Close friends, a trusted guardian or step-siblings are well within the realm of who we can consider as family.
Making the time to be physically present with your child helps to develop an unseen but robust emotional support system to help them step up through life’s later challenges. This significantly reduces the occurrence of depression, anxiety and other mental conditions later in their lives. On average, kids who spend more time engaged with their parents everyday tend to do better academically in school. They learn deeper communication skills and the importance of education is reinforced through the power of devoted caregivers. Wherever possible, assist with their assignments or learn new concepts together to help them understand that their success matter to you. Even the simple gesture of asking your child about their day and what they’re learning will show your children how much you care.
The advantages of making time for your kids are innumerable and significant. With the practice of dedicating physical time for your child regularly, whether to help them through their school work or participating in fun activities together, you introduce a multitude of benefits in their lives. These include eliminating stress, lowering the risk of behavioral problems in their later lives, boosting self-confidence by guiding them with conflict resolution and inculcating valuable parental skills for the future.
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