by the Editor

July 31st 2018
Today’s buzz word or phrase is “quality time”. This is one that rankles many people – particularly those of the generation above us. I understand the impetus behind the phrase – reflecting the making of those moments we spend with our families and friends meaningful and positive. But I do have a little nausea when I hear the phrase being used only to describe what I call “active time”. For example, “we went hiking in the mountains today with the kids – pure quality time”. Blech. The phrase seems to insinuate that unless you’re “doing something” with your kids, you are not spending “quality time” with them. Hogwash. Eating breakfast with your 5 year old and talking about their favourite cartoon for 10 solid minutes is just as much quality time as anything! Your child has learned that eating can be a positive, social time, and that they are worth listening to as a person for their opinions. Quality moments indeed. Do we really need to label everything about parenting and childhood? Are these labels just a way for the adults to justify what they were going to do already, or going to do naturally as part of their parenting day? Ie: go for a walk with your 3 year old in a wooded area and look at the frogs in a pond, help them with their homework after dinner, or read a book with them. Can we not just dispense with the “quality time” label and just acknowledge that ALL time can be quality?