And while dads in 1965 spent an average of just 16 minutes a day with their kids, today’s dads have quadrupled that time, averaging 59 minutes a day.

According to recent research and studies, the average American family spends 37 minutes of “quality” time together daily.

Mothers and fathers spend an increasing amount of time with kids: evidence from time-use surveys. The chart here shows the time that mothers and fathers spend with their children. First, in all countries mothers spend more time in child care activities than fathers.

Try to spend at least 5-10 minutes each day playing with your child. Begin with at least five minutes of special playtime. When parents first start using praise, description, imitation, and active listening, they find that it takes a lot of energy and focus. It is hard to use the skills for more than five minutes.

Whether you’ve never heard of mom guilt or can’t escape its relentless grip, it simply means that pervasive feeling of not doing enough as a parent, not doing things right, or making decisions that may “mess up” your kids in the long run.

The older a child is, the longer he’ll be able to play alone. For example, at 6 months, a child may be content by himself for 5 minutes; at 12 months, for 15 minutes; at 18 months, about 15 to 20 minutes; and at 2 years, for about half an hour.

Children need our attention, but they also need times to pursue independent play. If your child has difficulty playing alone, use the Hand in Hand Parenting tools to help them feel connected. They will help them offload the feelings they have about wanting your attention when you aren’t available.

Boredom-busting ideas for active kids

• Play a sport outside. This is such a simple idea, but sometimes kids just need someone to put it in their heads.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Wash the car for mom or dad.
• Do ‘mindful movement’ videos.
• Play hide-and-seek.
• Have a dance party.
• Make a fort.
• Make an obstacle course.

Separation anxiety is a very common reason why your toddler will follow you around everywhere. Kids will go through phases of clinginess. They may be afraid of unfamiliar places or people. So when your child says they have a tummy ache as soon as you go to leave them, this can be an indication of separation anxiety.

Seven signs that your child loves you

• Your newborn stares into your eyes.
• Your baby thinks about you when you’re not around.
• Your toddler throws distressing tantrums.
• Your toddler runs to you for comfort.
• Your preschooler gives you a flower.
• Your preschooler wants your approval.
• Your school-age child trusts you with secrets.

As wonderful as it is to feel “wanted,” having a 3-year-old attached to mom can be problematic for the entire family. Maybe your child is extremely attached to you, wanting to be around you all the time. He wants mommy for everything, from changing his clothes to reading books and tucking him in.

According to German psychologist John Bowlby, infants become attached to their mothers through physical contact with their mother’s skin, heartbeat and body heat. This bond continues to grow throughout the toddler years because mothers are generally the primary caretakers of children.

Children can’t be too attached, they can only be not deeply attached. Attachment is meant to make our kids dependent on us so that we can lead them. It is our invitation for relationship that frees them to stop looking for love and to start focusing on growing.

It’s not uncommon for children to prefer one parent over the other. Sometimes this is due to a change in the parenting roles: a move, a new job, bedrest, separation. During these transitions, parents may shift who does bedtime, who gets breakfast, or who is in charge of daycare pickup.

Why a child favors one parent: She wants to prove that she can make her own choices (in the same way she insists on The Runaway Bunny every night or the green sippy every time she has something to drink). It may also be a matter of familiarity and comfort with her routine.

NATURE OF TODDLERS And rejecting one of their parents is one of the ways they can exercise control and show their power. While rejecting a parent may make you feel sad or unimportant, it is usually a temporary whim and they don’t really mean they don’t love you or want you in their life.

Your baby needs to form a close emotional bond with a loving adult, as this gives him calmness, confidence and comfort. Sometimes, a baby is more easily soothed by dad even though mum looks after him all day – and sometimes it happens the other way round.