"Children need your presence not your presents. " It's important for a parent to spend time with their children and not just buying them things to show them that they are present. Parents are the number one factor in influencing children today. With parents spending quality time with their children it cuts down on the amount of kids running the streets. A busy schedule can prevent many parents from sharing personal times with children. In many cases parents feel guilty about the lack of time they have for their children and they feel the need to buy their children gifts or "presents" to gain acceptance. Quality time can be slipped into many day-to-day activities that would strengthen the child's family values. Open communication is the key to a healthy relationship with the child. It never hurts to go the extra mile to tell your children how much they are appreciated and loved. In return that shows the children that they are important and it just might make it easier in sharing feelings with the parents, if the parents can express theirs. Children need to be involved in activities that enhance their emotional, physical and mental development. Instead of playing the video games from Christmas last month, they should be participating in sports or volunteer activities. This gives the child a sense that he or she is an important team player and can boost their self-esteem. Most importantly parents should stress the importance and benefits of spending some family time together.