Parenting Article- The Benefits of doing Enjoyable Activities with your Child

I rewrote this article some. Because of its popularity I'm presenting it again.

I believe in doing enjoyable things with your child to bond with them. Going to museums they like. Playing ball with them. Building a toy airplane with your son. Making a sweater or dress with your daughter if she wants to. This gives your child lasting good memories. Additionally, when you are doing a fun activity with your child you can talk to them in a non-threatening environment about what is going on at school or what is happening in their life in general. Remember there are times and places when it's not best to ask such questions. Example- during homework. This is because this can be a stressful time for your child, or you if you continually tell them to stay on task during homework. You also might not want to ask questions just as you come home from a hard day at work. You don't want to be distracted by thoughts of work. You want to be mentally present. Sometimes parents ask questions to their kids and their kids think their parents aren't really listening. So they figure why bother answering a question fully next time. In addition to being mentally present when you talk to your child, you also want to be calm and comfortable. Your child should be calm and comfortable as well. So avoid asking personal questions when friends (yours and theirs) are around, it could embarrass your child.

Let us say you want to ask your child this, "So how are you doing making up with your best friend?" It is better to ask this question when your child is relaxed, not when they are busy reading, just got home from a hard day at school, or had a bad day at soccer practice. Plan a fun activity where it is more likely they will answer this with more than an "okay." Ask it casually as you are making cookies or sailing their small boat in the park lake. Or surprise them with a trip to the ice cream store. Walk there and as you do ask about what you want to know. Find out what is happening in your child's life. Get the low down. Get more informed. If you find out they are being teased by other kids at school this might be the reason they have stopped liking their violin lessons or why they do not like going to school anymore. You can give your own examples of how you were teased as a kid; how it affected you; and how you solved it or how you should have solved it. Build a bond with your child now. You will be glad you did later. Last point to be made- A child wants to know their parents care even though they seem to act like they do not care one way or the other. But please do not be TOO involved in your child's life in all aspects. Let your child have space.