Parent-Child Relationship: Behind the Scenes -3 Ways to Rock Your Parent-Child Bond
Channel: Good Parenting Brighter Children
Date: 2019-05-07

Parent-Child Relationship: Behind the Scenes -3 Ways to Rock Your Parent-Child Bond

For more information, see the blog:  https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/parent-child-relationships/

Over the last few years, we’ve been bombarded with teen violence in schools and communities costing taxpayers 17.5 billion/year. 
According to the Center for Disease Control these acts are preventable. Programs have been started to help. 

However, prevention measures need to start first in the home. Both parents need to be involved with their kids as all of these acts were done by boys with absentee fathers. 

You can start by: listening to your kids. Teach them to have respect for other people. If they display antisocial behavior, get them help
And, build a strong relationship with each child.

Here are 3 ideas: 

#1 Date Nights
Spend time alone with each child each month on a date night. Keep it simple and fun
Ask your kids questions about school, their friends, favorite music, movies, sports, etc.
 Don’t criticize. Don’t preach. Keep it positive And be consistent—go every month!

 #2 Friday Night Parties: when your kids start middle school/junior high, get to know their friends. Plan a pizza party every Friday. 
The Hernandez family of Florida: have bonfire parties for their son & his friends—they have helped him transition to high school. 
Always be there. Build a trust with your kids and their friends. 

#3 Personal One-on-One Interviews 
Each week set aside time to interview each child 
Counsel, set goals, observe your child’s personality, make course corrections, teach them problem-solving skills. Develop a bond of trust. Express love
These interviews allow you to really get to know your child and be alerted to problems before they happen. And they will listen to you even as teens!

Parents are many things to their children: protector, their provider, their example, their hero, their counselor, their confidante—all things that can happen when you try one of these relationship-building activities.

Time Management:  Warning - How to Keep your Kids from Becoming Tech Junkies!

For more information, see the blog:
https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/too-much-technology-use/ 

Did you know that Steve Jobs was a “low-tech” parent? He said, “We limit how much technology our kids use at home.” Surprising isn't it?! 

Other tech geniuses put strict rules on tech-use Why? 

We live in a 3-D world and technology is a 2-D world. The 2-D world can cause a host of learning, social and emotional problems. 

Steve Jobs was the genius tech-creator, but we are the users. And, there’s a big difference. 

When children spend long hours on technology—they are users and not creators. But, they are losing more than creativity:

Too much technology? Look for these signs:
 
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder,
• ADD/ADHD attention-deficit disorder
• Visual Perception 
• Narcissism
• Sleeping disorders
• Body dysmorphic disorder 
• Mood disorders: Depression, Mania, etc
• Addictions
• Loss of empathy—especially when there is a video-game addiction which can cause desensitization and emotional distance\
• delayed language development

Help Your Kids Monitor Technology

Parents—control the amount of time your kids spend on all kinds of tech devices. Children under 2 should not use technology at all. Children over the age of 2—no more than 1 hour/day.  

Try these strategies: 

#1: Charts: Create a chart to determine use and use it to limit use. 

#2: Activities vs. Technology: for every 5 minutes your kids spend on tech—they should spend an equal time practicing an instrument, playing outdoors or doing sports.

#3 Co-Viewing: when you child is “plugged in”—sit with him/her and watch what they are watching—be their first teacher—not the Internet

#4: Rescue Time: time-management software that helps kids monitor their tech addiction.
Not easy to put the brakes on tech-use but it will reap big rewards. –longer attention span, smarter, healthy emotions and will do better in school and life. 

Next up: How to fill the time-hole when your kids give up tech-toys. 

Links: 

Website: https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com

Resource Library: https://goodparentingbrighterchildren.com/resource-library/

Parents, this Resource Library is designed to help you raise brighter children. Books, music CDs, nutrition, toys, and game lists, plus printables, recipes and more. Everything is here to help you with your family and parenting journey!