Staying Actively Involved
Published: Monday, January 1st, 2007
The more involved you are in the daily lives of your children, the more likely they are to do well in school and get along with friends. You'll also feel more in touch with them, and better able to recognize trouble when it crops up. Getting more involved means finding activities to do regularly with your child that the two of you enjoy. It doesn't have to take money or a lot of time. In fact, brief, meaningful activities each day are probably best.
With young children at home, set aside regular time to give your son or daughter your full, sole attention. Get on the floor and play with him; learn about her likes and dislikes; tell them that you love them. You will build strong bonds of trust and affection that will make it easier for you to steer them away from risky behavior in the years ahead.
When children enter middle school or junior high, they're suddenly little fish in a big pond, and they want to fit in. At this time, your children may make you feel you embarrass them in front of their peers. But at the very time they are pulling away from you to establish their own identities, they actually need you to be more involved than ever.
Activities to Share
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