Parenting is undoubtedly one of the most demanding and rewarding roles in life. It's a journey filled with ups and downs, and at times, parents may find themselves physically present with their children but not fully engaged. This can have significant consequences on child's emotional well-being, family dynamics, and the overall quality of family life.
Presenteeism, which commonly happens in the workplace, has quietly crept into our homes, affecting one of the most important aspects of our lives, parenting.
parents are physically present with their child but are not emotionally or mentally engaged. In the age of smartphones and multitasking, it's easy for parents to be dividing their attention between work, gadgets, or other distractions.
Indicators of Parents Presenteeism:
Digital Distractions: The dominance of smartphones, social media and electronic devices can lead family members to be physically in the same space but mentally absorbed in screens, leading to decreased interaction.
Work-Related Stress: Parents or even children may bring work-related stress or worries home, making it difficult to be fully present in family activities or conversations.
Multitasking: The habit of multitasking during family time, such as checking emails or working on tasks, can take away from meaningful interactions.
Consequences of Parenting Presenteeism
Presenteeism can affect the emotional connection with the child. It may lead to feelings of neglect, lack of attachment, which can affect the child's sense of security and belonging.
Emotional Distance: Family members may feel emotionally distant from each other, affecting the quality of their relationships.
Missed Moments: Parents presenteeism can lead to missed opportunities for shared experiences, bonding, and important conversations.
Impact on Child Development: Children may not receive the emotional support and attention they need for healthy development when parents are emotionally absent.
Here are four suggestions to mitigate parenting presenteeism:
Enhance Emotional Intelligence: Boost your emotional intelligence as a parent by being more present and empathetic with your child. This entails stashing distractions and dedicating your full attention to your child during interactions. E.g. Listen to them without interruption. Turn your phone down when they start talking to you.
Promote Open Communication: Assure them that they can openly discuss their feelings and concerns, knowing that you are there to listen with no judgement and support them.
Establish Clear Boundaries: Create distinct boundaries between work and personal life. Clearly define family time and safeguard it against work or other distractions.
Invest in Quality Time: Engaging in activities that delight your child. These shared experiences create enduring memories and reinforce the parent-child bond. E.g. Watch a movie your child likes together, then talk about it. Play a game or share an activity they enjoy doing.
Addressing parenting presenteeism is essential for developing healthy relationships with our children. Recognising the issue and employing strategies to be more emotionally engaged enable us to offer our children the love, support, and emotional presence they need to thrive.