(Discussing further benefits of using a planner or calendar for parent-and-child bonding)
From one of the parenting seminars I attended, I have learned that it is essential to include our children in our day-to-day activities. And I am not talking about the routine. I speak about the playtime, bedtime stories, and all other relaxing forms of bonding. You see, besides school, this is their business until they become a responsible adult. Hence, it matters a lot to them, and it should matter a lot to you, too.
We literally have to write each task down in our planner, so we won’t forget. And if we are dedicated to our time and tasks, we won’t ignore that activity set for them, right? Then our children will definitely experience their moms and dads, each day, and not just every weekend.
Yet it doesn’t end there. Upon writing it down, we should post it wherever they can see it, and discuss it to our children.
Why?
1) They get to practice the value of respect and patience at the same time. Once they learn their own time with you, the chances of interrupting you while you finish other jobs, will be lesser. They know, they will have their turn later and they’ll just have to wait for it to come.
2) For kids who haven’t learned how to read the time, this is your chance to teach them, little by little of course. Make them distinguish the long and short hands of the clock and say their exact positions when it is time for you and your children to bond. Unless it is time, (or emergency), mommy and daddy should be attending to other things, before them.
3) For toddlers, pictures of things to do might help them identify which comes first, and when mommy and daddy can stay beside them. In this way, you are exposing them to more words, and more objects, making them familiar with all things that mommy and daddy use and get busy around.
4) For preschoolers, they are learning not only the time, but also the days of the week, months and years, reading and counting numbers, and perhaps, may also be an opportunity for them to start sounding out words, don’t you think?
When your children get used to this setup, they might be encouraged to make their own schedule, too! If not, be the one to push it, with a light approach. And if we succeed of letting them set time for each of their activities the whole day, the possible things to expect are:
1) They will learn the value of responsibility. If they are oriented that each task should be done before the day ends, they will surely try their best to finish it within their given time.
2) As they do each task, they will always find ways how they can accomplish it earlier or on the dot, because they have the target time. Then soon enough, they’ll be more creative and their minds are always on the move for more ideas. They will be“madiskarte” as we term it in Tagalong Language.
3) Balance enters every day, and your children are the ones bringing it. They get to do their routine, they get to play alone to explore, they get to bond with you, and with their friends, and they can get enough rest. this will happen every day. Further, playing with gadgets and watching TV may be limited as both of you set time for it. Books and artwork, and other extra curricular activities may be introduced as well just to fill in their schedule.
4) Finally, a peace of mind for both of you, the whole day, until bed time. Both of you will sleep with less worries and you as a parent won't feel any guilt, because despite your occupied day, you did not miss to bond with your kids.
There you have it. I hope you’re feeling positive toward these ideas. How to set each activity and time will I guess, cost me another article. But to give you my first tip, make the schedule with them to show that they are really involved, and daddy and mommy consider their thoughts and feelings.
And for now, I wish you have learned the essential things that a calendar may bring forth to your family.
always happy to help,
CESCA
From one of the parenting seminars I attended, I have learned that it is essential to include our children in our day-to-day activities. And I am not talking about the routine. I speak about the playtime, bedtime stories, and all other relaxing forms of bonding. You see, besides school, this is their business until they become a responsible adult. Hence, it matters a lot to them, and it should matter a lot to you, too.
We literally have to write each task down in our planner, so we won’t forget. And if we are dedicated to our time and tasks, we won’t ignore that activity set for them, right? Then our children will definitely experience their moms and dads, each day, and not just every weekend.
Yet it doesn’t end there. Upon writing it down, we should post it wherever they can see it, and discuss it to our children.
Why?
1) They get to practice the value of respect and patience at the same time. Once they learn their own time with you, the chances of interrupting you while you finish other jobs, will be lesser. They know, they will have their turn later and they’ll just have to wait for it to come.
2) For kids who haven’t learned how to read the time, this is your chance to teach them, little by little of course. Make them distinguish the long and short hands of the clock and say their exact positions when it is time for you and your children to bond. Unless it is time, (or emergency), mommy and daddy should be attending to other things, before them.
3) For toddlers, pictures of things to do might help them identify which comes first, and when mommy and daddy can stay beside them. In this way, you are exposing them to more words, and more objects, making them familiar with all things that mommy and daddy use and get busy around.
4) For preschoolers, they are learning not only the time, but also the days of the week, months and years, reading and counting numbers, and perhaps, may also be an opportunity for them to start sounding out words, don’t you think?
When your children get used to this setup, they might be encouraged to make their own schedule, too! If not, be the one to push it, with a light approach. And if we succeed of letting them set time for each of their activities the whole day, the possible things to expect are:
1) They will learn the value of responsibility. If they are oriented that each task should be done before the day ends, they will surely try their best to finish it within their given time.
2) As they do each task, they will always find ways how they can accomplish it earlier or on the dot, because they have the target time. Then soon enough, they’ll be more creative and their minds are always on the move for more ideas. They will be“madiskarte” as we term it in Tagalong Language.
3) Balance enters every day, and your children are the ones bringing it. They get to do their routine, they get to play alone to explore, they get to bond with you, and with their friends, and they can get enough rest. this will happen every day. Further, playing with gadgets and watching TV may be limited as both of you set time for it. Books and artwork, and other extra curricular activities may be introduced as well just to fill in their schedule.
4) Finally, a peace of mind for both of you, the whole day, until bed time. Both of you will sleep with less worries and you as a parent won't feel any guilt, because despite your occupied day, you did not miss to bond with your kids.
There you have it. I hope you’re feeling positive toward these ideas. How to set each activity and time will I guess, cost me another article. But to give you my first tip, make the schedule with them to show that they are really involved, and daddy and mommy consider their thoughts and feelings.
And for now, I wish you have learned the essential things that a calendar may bring forth to your family.
always happy to help,
CESCA