Parents Sharing

Parents Sharing

• Sometimes, as much as you love your children, you don't share all their interests. This is natural but it can sometimes be hard for them. They may think their choices aren't good ones. It can be easy to fall into the trap of pretending to like something for your child's sake but this only avoids the issue and will lead to later disappointment.
• Explain to your child that every member of a family is an individual. Teach them and remind yourself that differences are an important part of a full, happy and diverse family.
• We are all different in many ways - in age, personality, gender, the way we follow, lead, organise and order. We all have different interests but you can help each other enjoy these by:
  • finding a different time or place which suits everyone
  • putting on some music in the background
  • talking about what you're doing and what you will each do
  • telling children why you like doing things you like doing and asking why they like doing their things
  • setting materials and the room up so everything is ready and no one gets frustrated or bored with waiting or not being able to find something
  • making simple rules
  • making activities simpler for those who find them difficult
  • having adult and child versions of some things, eg a small garden plot or window box for a child
  • knowing what others will do if they finish first
  • compromising, eg choose something to do by taking a slip of paper out of a bowl which has lots of papers in it, with different options.
• When children say 'You never do anything with me' don't believe it! They may not remember so remind them.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

Parents Being Positive :: Parents Listening To Children
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