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FOCUS ON THE
FAMILY
Evaporating Family Time
Written by Lisa Brock
Most parents wish their homes were a bit
more like Richie Cunningham’s. He and his
sister came home after school and Mum
was there with a plate of freshly baked
cookies. The family sat down to eat their
meals together. They shared what they’d
done during the day and talked to each
other when they had a problem to solve.
But in today’s busy world, living like the
Cunningham’s just isn’t possible for most
families. Parents typically feel they don’t
spend enough time with their children
because of longer working hours,
volunteer and community commitments
and time spent commuting to and from
work. Children are pulled away from the
home as well; on the average, they have
more homework, are involved in more
extra-curricular activities and spend more
time outside the home than they did 50
years ago. During an ordinary work day,
the average parent spends 10 1/2 hours
working and commuting, at least 10 hours
doing housework and sleeping and less
than two hours caring for children.
Just being in the house at the same time
your kids are doesn’t necessarily mean
you’re enjoying quality time together.
Television has become a major source
of separation within the family. Too many
family members spend more time in front
of the television than they do relating
to one another. In addition, computers,
video games and smart phones eat up
a big chunk of family hours. Fewer and
fewer families have regular family dinners
together, go to church together or have
family traditions and routines that they
share on a frequent basis.
These separations are taking their toll. In
addition to the climbing divorce rates,
busy schedules and conflicting needs
contribute to substance abuse problems,

low self-esteem and a deterioration in
the sense of family closeness that helps
children stay on the right track. Parents
feel more frustrated, emotionally drained
and distant from their children. Without
careful consideration and deliberate
changes in our priorities, the family will lose
its meaning.
Copyright 2002 Lisa Brock. All rights
reserved. International copyright secured.
Used by permission. www.families.org.au

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