Family time - important for the family

Time spent together keeps the family together

Experts have no doubts that family time is one of the most important factors for a happy, functioning family life. There are studies that support this assumption: overall, families who spent a lot of time together rated family cohesion higher, felt more secure within the family, and evaluated relationships with close and more distant family members more positively. In view of this, it is not surprising that nine out of ten parents primarily wish for more time for their children.

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Why is it that we have less and less time for family?

The seventh family report of the Federal Government's expert commission confirms what many parents experience every day: people, especially between the ages of 27 and 40, lack time. Why is that?

Earlier entry into the workforce

Because vocational training is becoming more demanding and more international, many young people enter the labor market later. The first steps in their careers usually coincide with family planning. Young parents increasingly put themselves under pressure to remain as productive as possible at work even with a child, so as not to harm their careers.

Women work more

Many women return to work today at the latest one year after giving birth — partly because they themselves are pursuing a career, partly for economic reasons. The workload of the partners does not change as a result — and according to current surveys, the division of labor in the household and in childcare also remains unchanged.

Two incomes necessary

In many families, the income of one parent is no longer enough to live on. Those who have studied may have to repay student loans or be satisfied with a low starting salary. At the same time, expectations have risen — many people want to finance two cars, a home of their own, and regular vacations.

Free-time stress

Not only jobs, daycare, and school are responsible for the lack of time in the family. Many parents increase the pressure by wanting to offer their children as much as possible. During the week, days are filled with music lessons, sports clubs, or tutoring; in the evenings there is homework — leaving little time for the family.

How can I create more family time in everyday life?

When it comes to family time, not only quantity counts, but above all the quality of time spent together. Having breakfast together for fifteen minutes every morning can be more valuable than sitting together in front of the TV for two hours. Family time is about listening and responding to each other, or simply about having fun together and experiencing new things.

Shared meals:
Try to get the whole family to the table for at least one meal a day. Which meal it is and how long it lasts is up to you — the important thing is that no one reads or types on their phone. Ask each other about the day's experiences or plan activities for the weekend.

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Reserve a day for the family:
The older children get, the more difficult it becomes to get them to join in shared activities. Nevertheless, you can try to plan a shared day during the week. It works best if the children are allowed to have a say — perhaps family members can take turns planning an activity.

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Give children more time:
Those who are in daycare or school during the day and participate in playgroups, support programs, and sports courses in the afternoon have hardly any time to do nothing. However, that is exactly what is important for children to relax and to learn. Children must be able to play freely and undisturbed on their own — therefore parents should create more free time not only for themselves but also for their children.
Address flexible working time models:
Although the majority of parents with young children wish for more flexible working hours, many employers still only offer part-time and full-time options. Yet in many professions, flexitime arrangements, working time accounts, or home office would be easily possible. Maybe you can suggest such an arrangement to your employer — as a rule, employees who can organize their working time flexibly are even more productive and more motivated.