Parenting Children - August 19, 2012

Day 7 – Setting Goals and The Importance of Play


•  having a vision for our familu life
•  pausing to think about what we want to achieve
•  what will our children’s memories be of us and their home in twenty years, time?

Goals for our family life - When they are adults, will our children associate their upbringing with:
•  having fun together as a family?
•  being listened to?
•  being able to talk through difficult choices?
•  being encouraged and affirmed?
•  being valued for their unique personality and gifts?
•  knowing they are loved?
•  learning important values of honesty, generosity, etc.?
•  learning to think about others?
•  being prayed for?
•  having clear boundaries for their own protection?
•  seeing kindness modeled?

The importance of play
•  using their imagination
•  learning skills
•  playing on their own
•  playing with others
•  indoor and outdoor play
•  limiting screen time

Question:
Did you have fun with your family growing up? When do you have the most fun together as a family now?

From Series: Parenting Children Ages 0-10 | More Messages from Parenting Children | Download Audio

Study Guide

More Messages Associated With "Family"...

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We look at the role of reflecting back, responding appropriately and taking a long-term view in healthy communications.7. Reflect back what they have said

  • say back to them what you think they are trying to express, particularly their feelings use some of their own words and phrases

8. Respond appropriately

  • give guidance and reassurance
  • they are likely to remember our words for years to come

9. Take a long-term view

  • sometimes any meaningful communicationwith teenagers can be a big struggle
  • difficulties are usually the result of a phase they’re going through
  • try to create the conditions for conversation to become easier, at mealtimes; spending time with them doing what they enjoy; using their love language
  • if worried, seek professional help and/or medical support

Role play with another adult.  Have them share a typical teenage problem with you, and reflect back what they’ve said.  Go back and forth for a few minutes, then switch.  What was easy or hard about this?