Question:

“My husband and I don’t practice “couch time” per se, but we DO try to make a point of “catching up on each other’s day,” while we get dinner ready. Isn’t that good enough?”

Answer:

“There is such a good reason why “couch time” is encouraged throughout the On Becoming books, from Babywise to Teenwise. There is just no substitute for mom and dad taking a few minutes each day to stop everything and totally focus on each other. Think of it like this. There are plenty of times during the day when you and your children will “work” together folding laundry, picking up after play time, working in the yard, etc. but do those times in any way compare to those special moments when you take your preschooler on to your lap to read her a book, or when you give your 7 year old your undivided attention while he tells you what happened at school that day? I can promise you that your child knows the difference! ? In the same way, your children will be able to see the difference between you and your husband “laboring side by side to maintain their world,” and the respect and loyalty communicated through “couch time.”"