The Great “Quality Vs. Quantity” Debate

Insights:

Quality Time Vs Quantity Time - Which Is Most Important?

It’s a great question and one that I have been asked countless times. “Which is most important: quality time or quantity time?” 

I am married to a “quality time” person. It’s her love language. As long as we have consistent quality time together in our marriage, things usually go amazingly well. It’s about how we use the time together and the key word is connecting. How well do we connect when we spend time together? The better we connect, the better the quality time. For us, connecting usually involves at least one of these: talking, listening, shared activity, and some sort of non-sexual physical touch. 

Does the amount of quality time make a difference for us? I would say yes. If we are connecting well, the longer we connect, the better our marriage.

Let’s say we only have 30 minutes today for time together. Which do you think will do the most for our marriage: Spending that time focusing on each other or streaming a new series? Don’t get me wrong here. We love watching series together, but facing each other, talking and listening connects us even more. 

On the other hand, if we have three hours at home together and are doing separate activities, will we be connected? Maybe, but we won’t feel as connected as we would making those three hours quality time. For Nancy that would be a home run for our marriage.

So here is my take on the whole quality versus quantity argument. If you are seeking to grow your marriage, whether you have five minutes, 30 minutes or three hours, make it the most quality time that you can. Five minutes of connecting will outweigh an hour of “just existing” together anytime. 

My vote is quality! What about you?

Next Steps For You:

  • Which is most important to you? Quality time or quantity of time? What about your spouse?

  • What can you do today to improve both of these?

Quick Hits

This Week’s Quote: Tim Tebow

Timothy Richard Tebow was born on August 14, 1987 in the Philippines to American parents. He is an American football player. While at the University of Florida, he became the first underclassman to win the Heisman Trophy. He was part of the 2007 and 2009 BCS National Championship teams and was voted that games MVP in 2009. Tebow is known for his Christian faith and he became a cultural phenomenon with the 2011 Denver Broncos for his propensity for kneeling on football fields. This led to his form of prayer receiving the neologism "Tebowing."

  • When your identity is found in Christ, your identity never changes. You are always a child of God.

  • Being attracted to someone plays a big part, but there's also so much more than that for me. It's about finding someone sweet and kind - and that has a servant's heart.

This Week’s Trivia Question:

  • What well-known crispy chocolate candy is sold in baked potato flavor in Japan?

Did You Know?  

  • Before toilet paper was invented, Americans used to use corn cobs.  Alternatively, they’d use periodicals like the Farmers Almanac, which was designed with a hole so it could hang in outhouses.

Something To Talk About:

  • When something has happened that needs to be resolved, would you rather the other person be direct and let you know what they’re upset about or take longer to say what’s on their mind but express it gently?

Awesome Marriage This week

This Week’s Trivia Answer:

  • Kit-Kat.

Kim KimberlingComment