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Home › Articles › Family › Is Family Time Overrated?

Is Family Time Overrated?

The Importance of Individualized Attention

By Kelly Burgess

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The Finely Tuned Family
In the Knox household, it's pretty much all family, all the time. Mom Donna Knox of Birmingham, Ala., home schools her nine children – five boys and four girls – and strictly limits their outside activities.

"Our big emphasis is time with the whole family and the family as the central hub of life," says Knox. "When we go places, we go as a family, so if there's a music lesson, we all go. Family is the nucleus of their lives, and they can learn to socialize, argue, fuss and compromise within the family unit."

Knox feels that this family togetherness has enabled her to learn her kids so well that she's very in tune with when one of the children does need one-on-one time, and she gives it to that child immediately.

"In our society, whether it's in schools or in families that are ruled by activity schedules, things tend to be in neat, little boxes," says Knox. "So maybe family time is at dinner, then one-on-one time is at this time, and there's a separate box for everything they do. With us, our time is so flexible that I can give them one-on-one time as they need it throughout the day."

While most families are not as eager for the constant togetherness of the Knox family, parents can stop stressing. Family time should be spontaneous and fun, and not just another "box" in the schedule.

Tips for One-on-One Time

Every child, regardless of his age, needs individualized attention. Kids love spending alone time with Mom or Dad. Depending on his or her interests, go out and throw a ball or take a hike. Indoors, puzzles and board games are fun and teach the child important social, intellectual and spatial skills.


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