 Some tips for Connecting In A Busy World
Talk! –
I know it may sound obvious, but assuming your child is of speaking age, it’s important to turn off the distractions that are all around you, and simply talk to one another.
That means ignoring your cell phone, turning off the TV and the video game console, and asking your child, gently, how things are going with them. Even if your child is still learning to speak, a quiet game of patty-cake in a calm room, where you are focusing only on each other, will mean so much to your child. It’s easy to get overpowered by all the noise and distractions of modern life, but sometime the old-fashioned approach to parenting works wonders.
Play! –
In order to show love for another person, we need to do what they like: which is not always what we’d like to do. The same holds true for parenting: you know your child better than anyone – what do they do when they are alone in their room? Go in and do that with them, and you’ll have the best chance of really connecting. For example, my son loves board games, such as Risk, and, although I might really prefer a bubble bath or a Victorian novel, when I take the time to play the things he likes with him, our relationship feels closer and happier. A big part of love is sacrifice, and we need to show our children that their interests matter to us, by doing the things they love. Whether it is watching Sesame Street, playing with Barbies, or snowboarding, you can be assured of your child’s admiration, when you take the time to share with them their most beloved hobbies.
Experiment! –
If you want to shake things up, and find more unique ways of sharing quality time with your child, consider some unorthodox activities. By getting out of your mutual comfort zone, and doing something slightly adventurous together, you will create memories that are special to both of you. For a young child, perhaps a day trip to a children’s museum in a different town or city would fit the bill, or a children’s day at an art gallery, where you can both finger-paint surrounded my masterpieces. For older children, try something bold, like a zip trek tour through a forest, or go-karting. These things are expensive, but they are meant to be treats only, and you could do something similar, such as an adventure hike in a safe place, very cheaply. It’s a matter of being creative, of checking out all the fun things geared to your child’s age group, on the Internet or in local magazines, and finding something they’d love to do. When you see the look of excitement in their eyes, you’ll know the connection has been made, and a wonderful memory, too!
Final Thoughts On Quality Time With Your Child
By staying a strong force in your child’s life, through a lot of quality time together, you can remain a sounding board, and a loving, protective parent, when they need it most.
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