Mommy and Me: The Changing Face Of Quality Time

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Maybe I’m just “old-fashioned” but some of the fondest memories I’ve had with my family/mom revolved around bonding time. I can remember going out to breakfast (at a diner) Saturday or Sunday morning, watching some of what are now considered classics on TV, sitting across the couch from each other and each immersing ourselves in a good book.

And, perhaps ironically, it didn’t end at adolescence either. While I certainly pursued my own circle of friends, interest and independence, we enjoyed shopping together, decorating together, wrapping presents together and even chatting about “boys”. And, it seemed I wasn’t alone. In fact by the time I hit college it seemed that most of my girlfriends had this special “relationship” with their moms that allowed them to enjoy “quality” time, and even “hang out” together for “coffee and cake”.

And, it’s likely that this tight bond began, back in the day when moms invited their little girls to join them in baking cookies or to read a special story.

But, it seems that today moms are still making the effort, though experts suggest that the difference is what parents and children of today are defining as “bonding” and “quality time”.

With more and more two-income households, with moms putting in just as many, if not more hours than dad, or even some single-mom households, where mom HAS to work, finding time to take care of children while nurturing one’s own needs has reshaped HOW time is spent with the family.

In fact, according to experts moms and daughters are spending less time on the swing set and more time at the spa together. Even little girls are encouraged to join mom for a manicure, pedicure and scrub. And, all this “girly glam” has many a young lady, especially those approaching or already in their tweens, look at “our idea of fun”, including a day at the beach with a pre-packed lunch and some Kool-Aid and passé and quaint.

Long Island Family Life & Parenting Articles > Mommy and Me: The Changing Face Of Quality Time