There is a lot of talk of “quality time”…

One chap even told me the other day that although he didn’t see his family much, when he did see them he made sure it was real “quality time”.

So that’s ok then isn’t it?

Well…the other day I went out for a long walk with my 17-year-old daughter, with the dog in tow.

Kimberley and I chatted about everything and nothing for over 2 hours before snuggling up and watching a film together. That evening I took my beautiful little girl out for dinner (quality time).

Over dinner we had a real heart to heart about boys and relationships and various other very personal things that were going on in her life, which resulted in me being able to make a real contribution to her life and offer some advice, which was much needed.

The thing is, I know it wasn’t the dinner which enabled the meaningful conversation and connection between father and daughter to happen, it was the full day spent doing the groundwork that made the difference

If you’re a dad or a husband (or a mother/ wife), don’t be hoodwinked by this “quality time” idea, it’s a load of rubbish invented by busy people with imbalanced priorities to make themselves feel better.

With your precious ones, like all relationships, you get out what you put in and sadly there are no short cuts.