Work out quality time with family

Imagine this. A father is working a double shift in the office late through the afternoon as the mother is off shopping in one of the kingdom’s malls.

One child is playing on his Playstation in a bedroom as his brother watches television in the other room.
All this is happening as the eldest sister is wasting her call credits on spilling out the latest gossip on her phone.
Not forgetting the youngest sibling who was left to the maid to look after.
Well, does all this sound familiar? It does to a lot of families around the kingdom.
Perhaps this happens because of the fast pace we all live our lives. What – or who – is to blame?
Perhaps they once knew the art of loving one another and the true meaning of family. I find it really worrying to see so many people disconnect from their loved ones both physically and spiritually.
It is also very disturbing to see children go through life lost without a parent or close family member to guide them.
It is the norm these days to see girls suffer through eating disorders and lonely boys standing in corners with only a cigarette for comfort. I ask myself: “Where are these children’s families?”
I lost my mother after six years’ battle with breast cancer last year. Instead of tearing apart my family, her death actually brought us even closer together.
Therefore, my personal advice to all the youngsters of Bahrain is to find some time to spend quality moments with your family.
The video game and gossip can wait. Adults take note: so can the shopping and the overtime.
We tend to forget that the family is the backbone of our society and it is worth making the effort to connect with your loved ones. You never know when you might need them … but then it could be too late.

YouthTalk
By Ismaeel Na’ar
editor@gulfweekly.com