The other day my husband came home from work and played with the kids for 15 minutes and then headed to the shop to work on fishing stuff. It was only 15 minutes of his day, but the kids laughed and carried on about how fun that was- I mean he is great, but that made me think how with kids it really is quality over quantity.

I spend all day every day with them and although we have some pretty great moments it’s not a 14 hour giggle fest every day. If I am ever away for a mini vaca from my children and then we reunite and celebrate with a 30 min round trip for ice cream their whole day is made.

If one of the kids has a checkup and I take them by themselves and we stop at the dollar store on the way home they feel so special.

It is not the amount of time you have with a child that makes them feel important and loved, but rather what you do with them in the time that you do have.

Kids are so funny- we took our 4 and 6 year old girls to Disney last summer and they did love that trip, but honestly they would have been just as excited if they went to a local movie with mommy and daddy and got candy and popcorn. And we would have saved a few dollars 😉

One of my friends gave me the best idea and my kids just love this- I tell each of them individually that I am theirs for 15 minutes and we can do whatever they want. The little girls always choose playing barbies and the boys choose talking about baseball cards or playing trucks.

These are things that are important to them that I would never play like this on my own unless I challenge myself to do so.

Quality over quantity requires being very intentional. It is so easy to get distracted and do mindless activities for 30 minutes, but if we challenge ourselves to put down our phone or stop cleaning the never ending mess and sit down with a child and say ‘I am all yours for 15 minutes- what would you like to do?’ I will totally make their day and the surprising twist is that after that 15 minutes not only will they be happier, but you will too.

Quality time- even a small amount- is a win win for everyone.

Try the 15 minute challenge- you will be so glad that you did.

Until next time,