I. Micro-managing our children's lives
• helicopter parenting - hovering over our children
• children don't learn how to think for themselves
2. Being over-competitive for our children
• puts undue pressure on children
3. Overscheduling our children's lives
• can be caused by fear that our children will be left out or left behind
4. Overprotecting and rescuing our children
• leads to children not taking responsibility or learning from their mistakes
• allow children to take increasing responsibility for themselves
• pass on information and values to give them a moral framework to live by
• Helping children make good choices
make sure the time is clear of any other commitments for every member of the family
prevent interruptions from the telephone or other people (unless they are invited with the understanding that it is family time
Suggested routine for family times
try to make it the same time each week
spend at least an hour and a half having fun
take turns choosing what activity you do (See worksheet)
have it coincide with a meal
get each family member in turn to choose their favorite menu -when they are old enough, use it as an opportunity to teach them to cook their choice of food
make sure conversation and activities are at the level of the children
if it is a week night, work out when to fit in homework, music practice, etc. (before or after depending on the age of the children)
turn off the TV, or limit it to one program or DVD that you can watch together
children learn about good and bad behavior from their family
they learn values such as:
thinking about others
taking responsibility
helping around the house
How can you plan a focused time of play with your child(ren) this week? Spend some time thinking about your moral compass – where does it point? Why?
