School Age Show your interest. Check homework, talk about what's happening in school, ask their friends over, and find time to see your children's teachers occasionally. Assign kid-sized chores. Kids this age love to help. Just make sure the chores fit each child's capabilities.
Nothing makes a child lose interest faster than having to do something too difficult, or too easy.
Adolescence Refuse to get confused. Part of growing up is acting like a two-year old and an adult, all in the same day. Expect your teen to do this, and be prepared to comfort, reassure and, on occasion, look the other way. Face the facts. Let your affection show.