Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-ws8qp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T17:37:50.383Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Mothers' and Young Children's Satisfaction of the Time They Spend Together

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Kym Simoncini*
Affiliation:
School of Education, James Cook University, Australia. Kym.Simoncini@jcu.edu.au
Nerina Caltabiano
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Australia.
*
*ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Kym Simoncini, School of Education, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia.
Get access

Abstract

Satisfaction with time spent together is an integral part of the overall satisfaction of any relationship. This study examines young school-aged children's and mothers' satisfaction with the time they spend together. While 906 mothers and 675 children (49.0% males) from seven schools in middle to high SES areas in a regional Queensland city participated in the study, just less than half (n = 319, 47.3%) of the children could be matched with their mother. In a classroom lesson administered by the teachers, children were asked if they were happy with the time they had together with their mum and dad or whether they would like more time. In a separate survey, mothers were asked how satisfied they were with the time they spend with their child. More mothers than children were satisfied with the time they have together. Children were more satisfied with the time they spent with their mother than their father. Significant relationships between mother's satisfaction and her employment status and her child's after-school care arrangements were found. More mothers were satisfied if they did not work full-time and were able to provide some hours of care for their child after school. There was a significant relationship between the children's behaviour scores and their after school care arrangements.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)