I believe that children need lots of love, affection, structure, and your time. Money and possessions can never replace these things. In conversations with teenagers I hear time and time again that they wish their parents spent more time with them. (At some point in their adolescence this will change.)
Making your kids earn the toys, games, and stuff they want is important so that they value and appreciate what they get. In today's materialistic society it is vital not to spoil kids by giving them too much or by substituting material goods for love and time.
Your child will always remember the time you spent together and quickly forget that you bought them the new nano I-Pod or I-phone.
We all live in a busy world with often too many activities and responsibilities. Scheduling family dinner at least twice per week (more is better) is an excellent way to maintain communication and family bonds. Make it a communal event with everyone pitching in to make dinner, set the table, clean up afterwards, and most critically have an opportunity to just hang out together and talk. It should be a set time and day(s) every week.
5 years ago
Good advice. Learn to read the signals. Boys especially have difficulty starting a conversation about a concern or worry. "Hi, Mom," he stands in the door of the room where I'm busy on the computer. "Um," he says. "What's up?" "Nothing." If he's not concerned about anything, he goes off. The signal is that he hangs out in the doorway for a while. Keep him talking. It will come out eventually.
ReplyDeleteTrina,
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. That is why just spending time hanging out and listening is so important.
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ReplyDeleteAgreed! As a young adult, I love when I get to sit and have a meal with my family. I definitely wish we had done it more often (or really at all) when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteMaking time for people you love is an excellent way to prove to them that you honestly do love them. Too many people say they "are too busy" all of the time, and I think that's a cop out. You'll make time if it's important enough.
ReplyDelete