7 Ways to Know Your Child - Answering Service Resources

Home
>
Parenting
>
7 Ways to Know Your Child

7 Ways to Know Your Child

How well do you really know your child?

There is so much information at our fingertips to learn more about a child's personality, 'behaviorisms' and intelligence. Of course, we want to be the best parent we can, and so we read all the information. And some of it is great! Take the four different temperaments . . . I can see my child in one, but then I turn the page and I see him in another temperament ? it all depends on the day or even the time of day!

I used to spend a lot of time looking at ways to give labels to my children. I thought that if I could just find the word that would sum them up, parenting would become so much easier. When child number three came along, I just didn't have the time to be searching for someone else's opinion about the type of child he was. I don't want any label other than his name used on him. This kind of parental confidence can be hard to find. We seem to be knocked off balance every time we read a newspaper ? you know, another piece of research, another thing we are doing wrong. But you are the one to understand and know your child the best. And this knowledge will teach you how to interact and support your own, individual child.

Seven Ways to Know Your Child Better

1. Observe your child: That's right. Just back off and actually watch them. Watch them at play, at work and while they are reading.

2. Allow your child to discovery their tendencies: Does your child, given the opportunity, rush to the Lego box, or maybe to the pile of books or to the art supplies. Find out what your child chooses to do ? it is probably this that they are good at!

3. Take lots of photographs: In this age of digital photography, it doesn't matter how many photographs we take, because we needn't print or keep them all. Photographs provide an excellent memory of what your child does ? and you will probably notice things you hadn't before.

4. Let your child dictate stories to you: Many children enjoy the art of storytelling, but find actual handwriting tiresome. Take this strain away from them by being their secretary. You'll be surprised at how your child's brain works when they create their stories.

5. Create a journal: Now, this doesn't need to be a work of art! Have a blank scrapbook and write in it, get them to draw pictures, glue in certificates and photographs.

6. Trust your instincts: Teachers may give you a wider understanding of your child ? take it on board ? but remember that your instincts are probably right.

7. Talk often with your child: Make sure you let your child lead a conversation with you every day. If you are the one that holds all the information and knowledge in your house, your child will be less likely to share with you. Let them joke, let them explore their emotions and let them just babble away.

Marilynn McLachlan, Author REAL parenting in the REAL world Author of "The New Parent Code: 12 Vital Clues for Achieving Modern Family Sanity", Penguin Books, 2005.

Visit http://www.marilynnmclachlan.com to sign up for her free fortnightly e-zine.

In The News:

Media Mogul Tommy Mottola Finds New Star in EEBEE
MarketWatch - 6 hours ago
We're confident that co-parenting this business with Tommy Mottola will bring us to the next level of success." "We are delighted to partner with EVERY BABY ...

TheTimes
Make holidays brighter for children of incarcerated parents, she says
TheTimes, OR - 5 hours ago
By Kristen Forbes A Parenting Inside Out class graduate poses with her son. She and her two children will be gift recipients at the Center for Family ...

The great responsibility of parenting
Suffolk News-Herald, VA - 3 hours ago
Rather, the stories we are referencing tell us about the visible inadequacy that succumbs many parents. One recent story was about a man who left his ...

WAVY-TV
Beach schools to hold parenting forum
WAVY-TV, VA - 7 hours ago
Parent Connection welcomes the first in a series of guest columnists who will offer insight, research, and commentary on all facets of parenting. ...

Learning Parenting 101: Better Late Than Never
Hartford Courant, United States - Dec 1, 2008
Welcome to Parenting 101, a two-part introduction to the fundamentals of effective child-rearing. Upon passing this course, which will conclude with next ...

The Learning Community Provides Free Parenting Resources Via ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 21 hours ago
The Learning Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping parents with free parenting resources, announces the launch of its newly redesigned ...

Mothers welcomed to unique parenting support group
Curry County Reporter, OR - 8 hours ago
Gold Beach MOPS meetings are being held on the second Tuesday of every month from 7- 9 pm at the Hound Dog house, located at First Baptist Church of Gold ...

Even In Hard Economic Times, Noted Parenting Expert Urges Couples ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Dec 2, 2008
"Couples who decide to delay marriage and child-bearing, don't fully comprehend the ramifications of their actions," according to parenting expert and ...

ENERGYPARENTING(R) is the Antidote to the ADHD/Ritalin Epidemic
MarketWatch - Dec 2, 2008
It is a new way to parent that upends existing parenting models by transforming challenging children without the need for medication. ...

Obama victory encourages parenting advice
Great Dad, California - 21 hours ago
And yet he's still an excellent parent who finds time for his daughters," he told the news provider. In a speech in Chicago this past Father's Day, ...

parenting - Google News

Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource