| Contrary to popular notion, the best parent-child | | | | for overall personal and emotional development. Each |
| memories are not created out of major milestones | | | | distinct interaction, though dramatically different, offers |
| marked with much celebration and fanfare. It's the little | | | | different benefits and teaches different life-skills. |
| moments spent in doing things together that create | | | | For all of you dads and mums out there looking for |
| beautiful memories - cherished and held close to the | | | | some special way to spend time with your sons or |
| heart forever. | | | | daughters - a few suggestions: |
| What constitutes quality time? | | | | Father-Son Quality Time: |
| Both parents and children seem to agree that spending | | | | Taking your son to watch the soccer or cricket |
| casual time (just being together, doing simple things like | | | | finals live so that he can cheer his favorite team on |
| talking to each other or playing games together) is the | | | | beats watching the match on TV hands down |
| best way to share meaningful time. The second most | | | | Spend the weekend fishing or camping in the |
| popular choice is participating in sports and other | | | | wilderness - just the two of you. The connection made |
| outdoor activities together. The winning ingredient | | | | using a rod, reel and bait can withstand most |
| throughout is personal interaction. | | | | relationship vagaries later on. Besides, there'll be plenty |
| On the other hand, there are significant differences in | | | | of stories to regale others with for years to come |
| the way fathers and mothers view meaningful time: | | | | Suggest a carpentry project that you can help him |
| Mothers tend to be more oriented towards | | | | with - perhaps a gift for mum on mother's day? |
| informal interaction and instructive activities - Fathers | | | | Teach your son to make periscopes, paper planes, |
| lean towards athletic and event-type activities | | | | reef knots and home-made go-karts. It's something |
| Mothers are more protective and engage their | | | | that he will probably want to do with his own sons |
| children in mostly social exchanges - Fathers are more | | | | some day. |
| willing to allow their kids to take risks during play | | | | Get him to help you wash down your bike or car |
| Finding Quality Together Time In The Little Things | | | | at least once a week |
| The verdict is in, and is borne out by sociological | | | | Father-Daughter Quality Time: |
| evidence - children who receive lots of positive | | | | Spend the day on the beach. Helping her dig that |
| attention from their parents are more likely to develop | | | | long deep tunnel in the sand is sure to establish the |
| a clear system of values and live satisfying and | | | | feeling of "My daddy greatest" for a long, long time to |
| productive lives. | | | | come. If your daughter is old enough, help her build a |
| The process of developing a good parent-child | | | | gigantic sand castle instead. |
| relationship can and should start from the time the child | | | | Take her to a stationery store and let her pick up |
| is born. Here are some of the typical parent-child | | | | some dainty writing paper that all girls so love to write |
| exchanges that occur during the different stages of a | | | | on. |
| child's life - the kind that make meaningful moments | | | | How about an ice-cream after dinner - just you |
| and beautiful memories: | | | | and her? |
| For tiny tots - feeding time, bath time and playing | | | | Mother-Son Quality Time |
| peek-a-boo | | | | Spend a few minutes every day trying to put |
| During the toddler stage - looking at picture books, | | | | together that 1000-piece double-sided puzzle featuring |
| playing on the floor or going for strolls | | | | a crowd of people lying on the beach. Trying to figure |
| For preschoolers - walks to and from the | | | | out which piece goes where can make for many a |
| playground, visiting the library or just running around in | | | | hilarious moment |
| the open | | | | Book ringside seats for the circus |
| For school-age kids - time spent on bike rides, | | | | Spend the day at the planetarium or the aquarium. |
| playing ball etc. | | | | A science museum is a nice alternative |
| For teenagers - teenagers abhor hanging out with | | | | Mother-Daughter Quality Time: |
| dad or mum - it is the source of much unnecessary | | | | Attend stained glass painting or pottery classes |
| angst. However, they enjoy spending time with their | | | | together |
| parents in activities like listening to music together | | | | Do a craft or hobby together - it could be making |
| TIP: Making it a habit to have at least one meal a day | | | | balloon papier-mâché dolls, origami or even |
| together with your child can pay rich dividends as it | | | | Christmas cards and Diwali/New Year stars |
| provides you with the opportunity to stay connected | | | | An outdoor activity is a great way to spend time |
| and find out what's going on in your child's life. | | | | and enjoy a wonderful sunny day together |
| Mother-Son, Mother-Daughter, Father-Son and | | | | Remember: |
| Father-Daughter: Are They Distinct Relationships? | | | | A child that lives with affection learns to love |
| There is plenty of evidence that suggests fathers and | | | | A child that lives with encouragement learns to be |
| mothers aren't interchangeable in their relationships | | | | confident |
| towards their sons or daughter, though relationships | | | | A child that lives with truth learns to be honest |
| between the four dyads of father-son, | | | | A child that lives with happiness learns to find joy |
| father-daughter, mother-son and mother-daughter are | | | | and beauty in everything |
| distinctly different. | | | | Spending quality time together with your children is the |
| That said, all children, whether boys or girls, need to | | | | best gift you can give them. |
| have abundant positive interaction with both parents | | | | |