"Wondering Minds want to Know"
Being a mother of 5 children, ranging in age from 5 to 15 years,
our household could get out of hand really quick. Before I had
put my suggestions into play myself, some days were unreal what
my children would argue or fight over. I would like to share
suggestions that will help keep children's wondering minds from
making the household utter disaster like mine once was.
* Try your best to get a routine going in your home. Stick as
close as you can to that routine. I know that sometimes things
come up like an unexpected guest comes over, but try to stay
with the routine. This is the most important one.
* When your children are in school or preschool by the time they
arrive home they are usually very tired. I always try to have a
healthy snack waiting for them and it gives the child a chance
to unwind from the days events.
* Give each child a chance to tell you about their day. Let
them explain to you what all they did at school and always ask
questions. This also lets the child know that you are interested
in what they have to say. It makes the child feel important that
mom or dad would ask questions that only he/she can answer.
* Give your child a chance to show you their work or crafts that
they had made at school. I have found in my children that The
more proud I act over their work they always try harder to do
their best. They feel that if they can make mom and dad proud
they will try their best each and every time.
* Have a special project for you and your children to do
together a few nights a week. Even have them help out in the
kitchen with some minor supper duties. Anything that allows them
to be involved with you the parent.
I know that all these things seem like a lot but really each one
only takes a few minutes. The main thing that I have found is
that getting a routine and staying as close to it as I can keeps
my children's minds from wondering on fighting and arguing.
Sticking with the routine keeps your child's mind on the routine
and they know what is suppose to happen next and therefore is
focused on the next task. I still have the occasional day that
will go astray. That one day is better than having everyday go
wrong. I hope these few suggestions will help bring a little
more peace into your life.