Pandemic Pluses, 3

Pandemic Pluses, 3

It is interesting to hear from children and teens what is important to them. For example, a common thread is, “We all get to eat together at the table. That never used to happen.” And in the typical “both parents work outside the home” households, that may be true. It’s feed and dress the kids, get them out the door to the babysitter or school, and grab a donut to eat on the way to work. The human brain is a relational brain. Make mealtime a fun time. No disciplining, no rehearsing of less than desirable behaviors, no lectures, no disparaging remarks. Do active listening. Look at the child while listening. This helps them feel that what they say is important to you. They may come out with some very interesting comments, too, because they watch adults carefully. More tomorrow