The statement sounds good in principle and is, except that to do what is best for your children, you must also take the time to be good to your spouse.  Don’t forget, it takes a village to raise a child.

So while children need to be the most important person(s) in our lives, we must make sure to take our wives out to dinner or do something special for just the two of you at least once a week or twice a month.  It’s something you should look forward to.  It’s hard for either of you to be good parents if you don’t take time for yourselves to enjoy each others company and have sex.

But back to the point.  This blog is part of the Four Hour Life and consequently, it means you are probably a highly motivated man who has many irons in the fire.  But the rule still holds true, your children need to come before anything else.  If your life is typical, you’ll be doing something on your computer or watching a program on TV and your son or daughter wants your time.  Put the DVR on hold and stop what you’re doing on your computer and take the time to talk to your child. (Most things won’t take up too much of your time, but your son or daughter will appreciate that you stopped doing what you were doing to give them your time.)  You’ll wish you had a lot more of these moments once your children are 17 or 18 or are grown and have their own families.

If you’re at work, you need to stop what you’re doing and head home to spend a couple hours with your family, four hours would be preferable.  Have dinner with your family, talk to the kids, play with them, and put them to bed. You can go back to work if you want after you’ve given them your time.  You’ll feel better about yourself and your children will think you are a great Dad.

Better yet, plan your schedule around your family.  Like Tim Ferris says, “Most problem are not as bad as we’d like to make them.”  Don’t think of giving time to your family as a problem, but as a challenge.  We’re assuming you are a creative entrepreneur and have the ability to create a work schedule that includes your family.