  Many individuals are unaware of the role that family influences have on the success of school age children.  This peeks my interest because my parents instilled the importance of forming strong bonds within the family, which results from spending time with one another. These family influences have taught me life lessons and moral values that have ultimately shaped me into a better individual. The presence of quality family time has not only influenced my life but has set the stage to how I want my family to be structured in the future. I believe these bonds assist children in developing a strong sense of self, and brings awareness to the many obstacles that life brings. These early experiences have taught me the importance of valuing education as I am currently pursuing a degree in nursing. It has also given me a sense of belonging, of feeling loved, and protected. I have witnessed the effect the lack of family time has on children, as I know a family member who is still suffering from it. This individual grew up in a single parent home, where the mother always worked and often missed giving quality attention to her son. Therefore, the individual turned to negative influences in search for that quality time. These influences helped to develop an adult who now lacks many moral values and respect for his family and other. My curiosity and passion of the importance of quality family, and the effects it has on children qualify me to write about this topic.  I am not only aware of the effects that it has in many family's households within the United States, but have gathered plenty of research to gain an understanding on the different aspects of family time.

