We all want to start our day with a sweet family connection before going our separate ways. But for many families, the day begins with reminding, nagging, coaxing and worse. Here’s a better option. Think of a brief, enjoyable activity that your child really likes (that doesn’t involve technology) and use the magic of When…Then…
Arizona based mom Ariel Hill who works at ZipRecruiter shared her magic formula for inspiring her five year old son to dress himself for school. As soon as he gets his morning tasks done, Mom goes outside with her son and his sister to jump on the family trampoline. “When you are all dressed and ready for the day, we’ll go outside and jump on the trampoline together!”
Mom is using two important strategies that work:
When the goal is even a brief time of togetherness, kids more independently move through their tasks so they can spend that special time with you. It doesn’t have to be as exciting as a trampoline. It can be a quick story time (buy a book of 5 minute children’s stories), drawing together, playing a quick game, going outdoors to look for bugs or whatever your child enjoys. It’s the connection that kids seek and moving them toward that time together will make all the difference.
If you try this tip and have success or meet challenges, please tell us about it by emailing Solutions@peaceathomeparenting.com. Or jump on our private Facebook group and let us know. We love to hear your stories. It’s how we all learn.
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