Tips to Engage with your Children

Tips to Engage with your Children

by Claire McFee Author of Organize Your Life

Engaging with your children takes organization, in that you need to know where they are at developmentally and being able to factor in quality time to spend with them. Many of us had stay-at home-mums, there for us after school to chat to, dicuss the day and get help with our homework. With most parents both working these days, this takes more planning than ever before, but of course is worth it for the improved relationships you have with your children.

Pre-teen Life Issues

Kids are growing up faster these days with the amount of Technology/Media they engage with. As a result they are often exposed to concepts that are beyond their years. Understanding this and engaging in age-appropraite discussions about relevant social/emotional/environmental/political issues is important to give them the tools so they will be equipped to deal with these sorts of real live siuaitons as they arise.

Money Matters

It is important for kids to learn from a young age how to handle money and be sensible with it. Regular discussions about spending saving, budgeting etc will go a long way towards them becoming responsible teenagers and then of course adults. So take the time to explain monetary concepts as they come up.

Friendships

Having good friends are important to anyone no matter what age. There comes a time when we cannot guide our children’s friendships any longer, but we can still exert some influence if handled well – when your children do not want to, or cannot see the potential dangers of spending time with some kids. Casual discusssion – not in the heat of the moment when you have just said they cannot go to someones house – can help understand the complexities surrounding personalities and relationship dynamics.

Language

The language you use is paramount when engaging with your children. Leaving out blame and any generalisations is important, as is following up and following through on what you said you’d do -or the rest of what you say won’t be listened to. So watch what you say and how you say it.