The other night three Dads and I took our daughters - 6 in all - to see the Nutcracker Ballet.  We didn’t attempt both dinner and theater, because with the young ages of some of the girls it would be too long of a night for them.  We ordered in Chinese food, which might seem an interesting choice to accompany the score by Tchaikovsky, but it worked.  It was a wonderful evening, and the girls looked just beautiful all dressed up in their party dresses and outfits.  There are so many things we try to squeeze into this season - as many of you do too – so it is a very busy time.  For me and my daughter though, it is important that we carve out time to just be still together.  We both need that, but it isn’t easy to do.  To make a conscious effort to say no, to plan the time to stay in and be quiet, takes effort.  There are a slew of people who would say that it isn’t how much time – quantity- you spend with your child, but that it is the quality that is important.  I’d have to disagree with that statement.  It’s both. 

“Childhood is a short season” -Helen Hayes

Just for fun I attached this link because I spotted it online.  “How to Spend Quality Time with Your Child.” See what you think. 

http://www.ehow.com/how_2118272_spend-quality-time-child.html