Make a commitment to carve out a little time that is “parent-kid” time each day. If you have more than one child, look for time alone with each.
Think about your day. If your child catches the school bus, turn that short walk to the bus stop into your regular time together. Could you spend a little extra time as you tuck each child into bed? Could you have a “tea party” with your child after school? Invite one child at a time to help you prepare dinner. You can chat while you chop the lettuce.
These small chunks of time, when you’re relaxed and have no agenda, will become very important. They may be the time when your child opens up and tells you what’s really going on in her life.
Reprinted with permission from the January 2008 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.