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?

Related Topics: Children, Family, Fun | More Messages from Parenting Children | Download Audio

From Series: "Parenting Children Ages 0-10"

Study Guide

More From "Parenting Children Ages 0-10"

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Show an interest

  • involves effort and generosity
  • listen to what appeals to your child(ren)

Avoid shutting them down

  • value their ideas
  • allow them to express negative feelings such as disappointments, embarrassments, sadness, anxiety, and anger.

Reflect back

  • repeat back to your child what you think he or she is saying
  • reflect back to your child some of his or her words, but not in parrot fashion, as that can be annoying
  • concentrate on reflecting back the feelings you think your child is trying to express, e.g. it sounds like you feel upset or frustrated or sad?
  • reflective listening will help your child(ren) to frame their own feelings

Complete the attached worksheet.

 

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