Ms Narayani Ambikanandhan
As an educationalist, I often meet and hear parents say, “We spend time together as a family.”But I want all of us to pause and ask, what kind of time is it really?
Let me give you an example of what I saw. Last week, I noticed a family sitting together in a renowned restaurant. It was a wonderful sight to see the entire family – mom, dad and threechildren eating out together. However, I did not feel like it was family time at all! ‘They were in the same room, but not truly together.’ Sadly, the truth!
Yes, the children were on their tablets -busy playing games, the father was answering official emails, and the mother was scrolling through social media. There was a huge difference between being together as a family and having quality family time. Most of the time, we misinterpret family time as taking kids out on a weekend to the mall or a fancy restaurant, which is not family time at all.
Now, let me help you change the above scenario to show how the same set-up can be made into a quality family time. A discussion from the menu about what to order, talking about likes and dislikes, discussing ingredients, cracking funny jokes and tossing tablets and phones to change the dinner table into a lively Family time.
I remember my childhood days, when my father used to act as a hotel waiter, who just said, “At your service, ma’am’ and brought food from the kitchen and set the table, helping my mom. My brother and I help by filling water, setting plates. Then, while eating, dad appreciates or comments on the taste of the food, followed by sharing stories about how my parents’ childhood used to be, how limited options were and whatnot. No mobiles, no technology, only the real talk chat creating real family time, which had always been a cherished memory.
Family time isn’t about the place—it’s about the presence. A restaurant can be just another meal, or it can become a memory. The difference lies in choosing connection over distraction. Remember, you don’t need to take your kids out to show that you are spending quality time. You can do the same at home, too – changing your dinner table into a lively family time. Let’s make family time intentional, making every moment spent together meaningful. Put away distractions, create simple rituals, and focus on connection. That’s the heartbeat of home—and the foundation for a child’s growth.
