Dallas, USA - A brief history of quality time:
Ancient nomads sat around the campfire, telling stories and passing along oral traditions to the next generation.
Pioneers gathered their children at the hearth to read the Bible and say prayers.
And now, modern parents impart spiritual values from the driver's seat of the mini-van, as they transport youngsters to school, sports and other activities.
"That's my quality time with my kids," said Cindy Hammons, a mother of three in Tioga, Texas, about 50 miles north of Dallas.
At home, laundry, cooking and other chores beckon. But in the car, "you have the time to give them that conversation. You know you have a set amount of time to talk with them."
Mimi Doe, an author and founder of the Web site SpiritualParenting.com, said making good use of car time is a must. "People are so frantic," she said. "Many find the only time they're together is in the car, en route to some activity."
Rev. Jill Jackson-Sears, pastor of Inglewood United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, said she and her two young children like to sing hymns together in the car--a tradition her toddler initiated.
"We probably wouldn't do it any other place," she said.
2 to 3 hours a day in car
Jackson-Sears spends two to three hours a day in the car, on the way to her home, child care and her office.
According to a 2003 study by the U.S. Department of Transportation, children 5 and younger spent an average of 65 minutes a day in the car.
And a University of Michigan study showed that while parents are spending slightly more time with their kids than 20 years ago, much of that additional time is in the car.
So some parents devise creative strategies for turning car time into devotional time.
Melissa Rembecki, a member of St. Andrew's Christian Church in Carrollton, Texas, uses sights and sounds on the road as starting points for spiritual lessons with her five children, ages 4 to 11.
If an ambulance passes by, for example, she'll invite the kids to pray for the injured or ill person. If they drive past someone in a wheelchair, she'll ask, "How do you suppose people treat that person?"
Seeing homeless people along the road, she and her children decided to make up "special sacks" containing snacks, grooming items and Bible verses. They keep a stash in the trunk.
"We talked about how homeless people are part of God's family," she said. "We talked about what might be helpful for a homeless person and what we could do."
Rev. Marsha Engle Middleton, senior pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Mesquite, Texas, sings songs with her two toddlers while shuttling them around. The tunes are a starting point for discussions.
"If we're singing `Jesus Loves Me,' then I'll ask, `Who's Jesus? Where is Jesus now? Does Jesus love you?'" she said.