Advice

QUALITY TIME FEEDBACK - PART 2

Our boys help out with the jobs

It's not always easy, but there are ways of involving the children in what we have to do in the way of chores.

Yesterday I couldn't do the supermarket shopping during the day as usual, so after tea I went, and my oldest two boys (aged nine and eight) wanted to come. So we did the shopping together - how exciting!

But it meant spending time together which otherwise we wouldn't have had. They also know that if they help to get their brother (aged four) ready for bed, my husband and I may have more time with them before they go to bed, so they learn to help out as well. Doesn't always work, but it's good when it does.

Other jobs they help with are washing the car, doing the garden, making the tea etc. They learn that spending time with us doesn't necessarily mean kicking a ball around the park or playing a board game.

And every so often each boy has a 'date' with one of us - a tip picked up from Spring Harvest - when they have one-to-one time with us.

I'll be interested to find out ideas others have ...

Thanks for the newsletter.

Catherine Atkins

Texting keeps link with our girls at uni

Thank you for your prompting regarding doing things together - especially within our modern culture and lifestyles.

Though my daughters are university age - and therefore as parents we are expected to give less and less input (though payment of telephone bills, university and accommodation fees are acceptable!!), we keep communicating by being unafraid of the new technology - in particular the use of text messaging.

We know that the mobile is a permanent attachment to our girls, and after taking their advice on its use, its slang etc - we have found that texting on a regular basis is an excellent way to keep our relationships alive.

Sometimes it is just trivial info on what we are watching on TV at the moment and I resist the temptatation to text a "sleep tight" message every night!

Obviously, within our work at Family Matters Institute the need for families to do things together and communicate effectively and regularly is a key message. This has shown up in our research Does Your Mother Know? - a study of underage sexual behaviour and parental responsibility. It clearly shows that good communication between parents and teenagers reduces underage sexual activitiy.

This is also part of our latest community outreach project - Flat Pack Parent - which encourages parents to talk and listen to their pre-teens and teenagers about key issues affecting teenage life.

The 10 topics covered are:- teenage sexuality, teenage pregnancy, sex education at home, self-esteem, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, online safety and the media.

For further details contact Family Matters Institute on 01767 641002, mail
admin@familymatters.org.uk or visit www.familymatters.org.uk

Ladey, Family Matters

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		QUALITY TIME FEEDBACK - PART 2 Our boys help out with the jobs It's not always easy, but there are ways of involving the children in what we have to do in the way of chores. Yesterday I couldn't do the supermarket shopping during the day as usual, so after tea I went, and my oldest two boys (aged nine and eight) wanted to come. So we did the shopping together - how exciting! But it meant spending time together which otherwise we wouldn't have had. They also know that if they help to get their brother (aged four) ready for bed, my husband and I may have more time with them before they go to bed, so they learn to help out as well. Doesn't always work, but it's good when it does. Other jobs they help with are washing the car, doing the garden, making the tea etc. They learn that spending time with us doesn't necessarily mean kicking a ball around the park or playing a board game. And every so often each boy has a 'date' with one of us - a tip picked up from Spring Harvest - when they have one-to-one time with us. I'll be interested to find out ideas others have ... Thanks for the newsletter. Catherine Atkins Texting keeps link with our girls at uni Thank you for your prompting regarding doing things together - especially within our modern culture and lifestyles. Though my daughters are university age - and therefore as parents we are expected to give less and less input (though payment of telephone bills, university and accommodation fees are acceptable!!), we keep communicating by being unafraid of the new technology - in particular the use of text messaging. We know that the mobile is a permanent attachment to our girls, and after taking their advice on its use, its slang etc - we have found that texting on a regular basis is an excellent way to keep our relationships alive. Sometimes it is just trivial info on what we are watching on TV at the moment and I resist the temptatation to text a "sleep tight" message every night! Obviously, within our work at Family Matters Institute the need for families to do things together and communicate effectively and regularly is a key message. This has shown up in our research Does Your Mother Know? - a study of underage sexual behaviour and parental responsibility. It clearly shows that good communication between parents and teenagers reduces underage sexual activitiy. This is also part of our latest community outreach project - Flat Pack Parent - which encourages parents to talk and listen to their pre-teens and teenagers about key issues affecting teenage life. The 10 topics covered are:- teenage sexuality, teenage pregnancy, sex education at home, self-esteem, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, online safety and the media. For further details contact Family Matters Institute on 01767 641002, mail admin@familymatters.org.uk or visit www.familymatters.org.uk Ladey, Family Matters © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.