Parent to Parent: Busy Parents

WSVN--One and a half year old jonah is a little water bug.

His parents love watching him learn to swim.

But with both of them working, they feel like they don't spend enough time with their son.

Hiedi: "With a young child there are some many milestones everything from walking to sitting up for the first time to smiling. And not to be there for that is just an awful thing."

But Seven News Parenting Expert Dr. Debbie Glasser says you can make the most of the time you have together.

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "Quantity isn't everything that the key is making the time with your family work, be valuable, be meaningful and be loving and appropriate."

You can even make daily chores constructive.

For instance, when grocery shopping emphasize counting and when doing laundry teach colors.

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "Those special moments don't come back. Save multitasking for your job if you need to but when you are with your kids try to find opportunities to be as present as you can."

Also try to find opportunities to talk to your toddler as much as possible.

Mimic their "baby talk."

It may sound funny, but to a baby it's the earliest form of conversation.

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "Talk about your day even if your baby doesn't understand what your saying yet. Your baby knows that you are atuned to him or her."

And remember, babies love to listen to their parents voice.

Singing and reading a few minutes a day can make a big difference.

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "There is nothing more secure and comforting for a child then to be in your lap hearing your soothing words, hearing some rytheming sounds and looking at colorful pictures and it helps him believe it or not even early on get ready for school later in life."

Finally, if you're not home when the baby is awake, consider slightly alternating their sleeping schedule.

Maybe ask your caregiver to give your child a later nap.

Dr. Debbie Glasser: "I think the key is if you do so do it gradually and do it in a way that's sensitive to your babies needs. Read you child's clues if it isn't working take a step back. Maybe an early morning special time instead of a late night."

Creating a routine has helped Hiedi and Philip.

Now every moment of family time is quality time.

Heidi: "Just the time to focus on him and really learn his personality and help him achieve what he's looking to do."

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN DR. DEBBIE CAN HELP YOU WITH E-MAIL US AT:
parent@wsvn.com

DR. DEBBIE GLASSER'S WEBSITE:
newsforparents.org