If you’re a working parent, you’re likely caught up in balancing professional duties and the importance of quality time with kids, wishing for more hours in the day to do enough. Long commutes, conflicting schedules, and the mental load of arranging childcare, planning meals, and prioritizing the never-ending to-do list add to the question of how to get quality time in with your children. As the percentage of parents who are employed increases, more parents are facing the same struggle.
In 2023, both parents were employed in 67 percent of married-couple families with children under age 18, an increase from 59.8 percent of families in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among married-couple families with children, 97.6 percent of families had at least one employed parent in 2023 — up from 95.3 percent of families in 2020.
When balancing work and family, making time for your children is important, but it’s the quality over the quantity of that time that will be remembered. Merriam-Webster defines quality time as “time spent giving all of one’s attention to someone who is close.”
Importance of Quality Time with Kids
Here are seven tips for improving the quality of the time spent with your children:
1. Choose where you live with your kids in mind
It’s easier said than done to set aside intentional time with your kids. But finding that time to connect is simpler when there are waterslides, parks, movie nights, and more just outside your door.
Let go of the stress of planning family time and choose a home in a community that prioritizes families. At Santa Rita Ranch, values — like enjoying family bonds (Ranch Code No. 2) — are a part of the community’s DNA.
There’s no need to travel far for fun after a long workday with nearby parks, pools, outdoor amenities, and more than 100 events and gatherings planned for residents each year. Cool off on the 18-foot dual-water slides or in the kids’ splash areas at the Ranch House, play at one of several parks, reel in big memories at Ed’s Lake with catch-and-release fishing, or take a walk on the nature trails.
2. Communicate with your employer
You’re often the first to be called when a kid is sick or the first to leave the office for the day to be able to pick up a child from school. You may need to arrive late to accommodate an appointment or plan your time around school holidays.
Being a working parent requires flexibility. Talk with your employer about the flexibility you need, but make sure to similarly emphasize your commitment to the job and how you plan to keep up with work.
3. Keep a schedule
When balancing responsibilities at work and home, it’s important to set clear boundaries. Establish specific work hours so you can set aside undistracted, intentional time together. Planning family time in advance — like a weekly movie night, an after-dinner trip to the park, or a Saturday morning splash at the pool — makes sure that quality time is a priority.
Keeping to a schedule also allows quality time to be a part of the everyday routine. Eat breakfast together, slip a note in your child’s lunch box, or read aloud at bedtime.
4. Share a meal
Regularly sitting down to share a family meal offers a wide variety of physical, social-emotional, and academic benefits, according to The Family Dinner Project, such as increased self-esteem and a lower risk of depression for children and adults.
A February 2021 report by the American College of Pediatricians states the quality of the dinner table experience has declined as distractions — such as texting, social media, and television watching — have increased.
“Most parents, however, say they place a high value on family meals, ranking them above every other activity (including vacations, playing together, and religious services) in helping them connect with their families and children,” the report stated.
Mealtime doesn’t have to be fancy — keep the menu simple. More importantly, make mealtime intentional — leave devices elsewhere and encourage conversation. Ask an open-ended question, like “What are two things you are grateful for today?”
5. Let them help you with chores
Bring your children into the everyday to-do list. Consider what chores they’re able to help with or be included in. Make dinner together. If they’re younger, let them mix ingredients. If they’re older, have them plan a meal they’d like to make. Clearing the table, drying dishes and folding laundry are all things that can be done together.
6. Make spaces for play
Carving out the space and time for leisure is important for connecting with your children. Consider setting up your home to be an oasis for gathering. That could mean adding a water feature to mask the noise from nearby traffic or installing a swim spa to enjoy year-round. Plant a garden for you and your children to cultivate together.
If you’re choosing a new home at Santa Rita Ranch, opt for extended patio options — add an outdoor kitchen to make burger night even more fun, or install a fireplace to make the space cozy for stargazing.
7. Don’t neglect your needs
As a working parent, avoid trying to do it all. Self-care is an important part of being a working parent — when you take time to recharge, you can be more present, patient, and attentive. When your needs are neglected, you may experience burnout symptoms such as depression, difficulty sleeping, feelings of sadness, or lacking a sense of pleasure in activities, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Making time for yourself is necessary. Add it to the family schedule so it stays a priority. Consider hiring a sitter to watch the kids while you get away for a bit, socialize with other adults in your community, or squeeze in a quick walk or fitness class at Santa Rita Ranch’s Wellness Barn, for example.
If you are interested in a community like Santa Rita Ranch that is designed to encourage the importance of quality time with kids, see what our builders have to offer. Homes are priced from under $400,000 to more than $1 million, and dozens are available now.
