Giving the Gift of Time

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A New Mexico State University professor tells parents about the best gift to give their children this holiday season. Anna María Pérez-Wright has the story.

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As parents rush around looking for the perfect Christmas gift for their children, a New Mexico State University professor says the best gift can be given year round. N-M-S-U marriage and family therapy professor Robert Del Campo says the gift of time is a gift every child will appreciate.

"Spending 20 minutes reading a children's story, spending a half hour shooting baskets, going to your child's sporting events or musical performances is just a wonderfully supportive way to give time to your kids. I think the best thing, though, that you can do to spend time with your children is to have dinner together regularly as a family. No TV on, no music, just casual interaction around a dinner table."

Research shows that families who eat together regularly have children who are less apt to get into trouble at school. DelCampo says the gift of time this holiday season and year-round will help parents establish a strong, lifelong relationship with their children. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.