Quality versus Quantity

A lot has been said about parenting. To bring up a child in this world is not an easy thing. A working mom knows the challenges ahead are far from easy. The stay-at-home mom too faces the same challenges. How do you be a good parent? There is no easy answer to this simple question. Then came the verse above... Quality versus Quantity, that's how we should do it.

There is no one single phrase that can justify how we should bring up our kids. We are talking about someone with thoughts and feelings here, not just some products created in some factories. Quality time is always good, there's no denying about it. Quality time is good when everything else is constant. We spend time reading to our children, do homework together, shopping and holidaying together. We talk to our children, maybe solve a problem or two.... within an hour or a few minutes a day. Tell me frankly, how much time do you spent with your child after coming back from your work? We must remember the negative elements that are lurking around to influence your child. So here comes the quantity part. The more time you spend with your children, the less negative elements will influence your children.

How this is so? Well, you get to control what programme your children watch, the books that are read, their whereabouts and who their friends are. You are there when they need you the most. This is what I really call the quality time. And it can only be done when you have the quantity.
When your child fell in the school bus, the only face that he wants to see is yours. You are there to comfort him once he get off the bus. When bad things happened in school, playground and the fields, you are there to comfort them when they get home. So are the happier moments. When your child takes his first step, you can call your husband or wife at the exact moment to let them know and share the moment. No maid will do that for you. When your child is excited about some tv programmes , you are there to share it with him. You are there to explain things to him without having to wait for you coming back from the office. Of course, there are always telephones/mobile to call you if you are not around. But is it the same? It's not the same but close enough.

Do we as parent have the choice between quality and quantity? Lucky for those who have both the quantity time and the quality time to spend with their children. For those who do not have the quantity, its good enough that you spend quality time with children rather than nothing at all. Just hope that those negative influences have less effect on your children.