Bond Like Your Life Depended On It

Amazing things can happen when a family comes together to do things together.  A family that can bond together will be a family that is united forever.

Work, school, extracurricular activities; these daily activities that make our lives so busy create difficulties for parents to foster a bond with their children. You can easily strengthen family relationships by spending time with one another, listening to each other, and respecting each others opinions. 

Spending time connecting with your family doesn’t need to take a whole lot of time or even money. It’s simply about being intentional, being in the moment and really just letting go and having fun, it is about the quality of time.

I have come up with a few ideas for you to connect with your family in 30 minutes or less — anytime you happen to find a free half-hour, try doing just one of these suggestions and watch your family bond grow even stronger.

Munching together 
Try and eating together with no distractions, such as television or phones.this gives family members time to discuss their day and any good or challenging things happening in their life. The reason I say “eat” and not specify a meal is because I understand that sitting down to dinner every night is sometimes nearly impossible with homework, work and other scheduling obligations.  And if meals are out of the question altogether, maybe think about a simple family snack every now and then. Get some chips and dip, crackers and hummus, or maybe just cups of hot chocolate (ain't nothing wrong in soaking some garri and you all drink from the same bowl) and sit down for a few minutes to catch up on everyone’s life at the moment.

Gaming

What about a quick impromptu silly game that the whole family can get into?

One night over dinner, bust out into an eye spy game. You may find that you’re all suddenly laughing and connecting in such a simple way. The best part is that games like this can happen anywhere and anytime, too.

Homework
Helping a child with their homework not only allows you to spend time together, but enables you to see what they are learning and how they are doing academically. Your support and praise will go a long way in boosting their confidence in school. Reading to your child daily increases their literacy, but it also allows for a time when both parent and child are completely focused on one another and can communicate freely about the book or other subjects.

Activities

Many children have extracurricular activities like sports or dance. By involving yourself in these activities and praising them on their participation you are helping build their confidence as well as strengthening your bond.

Support
Childhood, especially the adolescent years, is incredibly hard on the self esteem of many children. By telling a child you love them and giving compliments or positive feedback frequently you can foster their confidence and perception of themselves. By listening and being supportive of their ideas, even if you don’t agree, makes them feel as if they can come to you with their problems and discuss their true feelings.

Cooking/Baking 
Sometimes bringing the family into the kitchen can make cooking or baking so much more fun and enjoyable. Experiment with baking cookies, or even try diving headfirst and making a cake. The best part of this quick bonding session is the time spent eating the incredible treats created with love.

Music
Another quick way to bond with your family is to blast some cool beats and just start a little impromptu dance party. Have fun, be silly, bust a few moves and burn some calories while you’re at it! Show the kids that you’re never too old to let loose and have a good time.

Go for a walk
Sometimes just getting out the routine and out of the house by taking a walk is the perfect way to spend time with your family. Hold hands. Talk. Is it raining? Grab some umbrellas and rain boots, have the kids make a poodle splash and call it a rain walk. Don’t let the weather hold you back from creating lasting memories with your loved ones.

As a parent, having a strong bond with your child creates a feeling of unity and safety. It is important to do all you can to create these family bonds to ensure a happier and healthier family...Start now

Lego Not Ipad, Come On Kids!!!

My cousin Oshapi came over to the house yesterday and as usual, there was so much to talk about...the guy just always seems to have major drama around him *giggles*. Was good catching up though. 

So we got to the most fascinating topic, the kids and how they are all so smart and gadget savvy. Teased our generation and how even normal VHS was a trip for us when we finally figured out how it worked, yet kids of these days are breezing through apps on our smart phones and tabs like they had proper training. Talk about picking up your smart phone, going through your picture library and seeing over 30 pictures of your child after he/she has tried taking the perfect photo while you were making a meal. Some even help reorganise our documents and files...guess they weren't pleased with our own arrangements.

 

Its simple; these children watch us parents use one from birth, so it is only natural that as soon as their tiny fingers can swipe a screen they would imitate this behaviour and learn how to operate one themselves.

And it’s only natural that, as time-poor parents most of us are, we would download age-appropriate apps for them, reassuring ourselves of their educational benefits while enjoying the free babysitting service for a while.

This brings me to question if there is a negative effect to children who start handling these gadgets at such tender ages?!

Kids are transfixed by iPads and smart phones, so when the device shuts off or is taken away, they go into a full-fledged tantrum, screaming and crying for the device. Its been said that the more parents use iPads, smart phones or similar devices to calm their kids down, the less likely the kids are to learn how to calm themselves down naturally. In other words, if kids are constantly pacified with an iPad, they won’t be learning the skills to come down from a tantrum.

When children spend so much time playing games on these devices, getting somewhat addicted to them, it doesn't encourage socialization with other children, but is rather solitary and inspires a trance-like state in our kids. Most times they don't even want to share by taking turns playing games on the device.

On a more positive side, as from 20 months and at the age where words are fascinating to children, educational interactive apps can be introduced with the hope that pointing at letters, numbers and shapes on the screen and hearing them spoken will reinforce the learning process. It could also enhance reading of books, and there are quite a few interactive books available in the iPad.  

Its worth knowing that, the idea that so much time spent looking at the screens so close can affect the child's eyesight, studies show that it doesn’t do any real harm.

What is strongly recommended is that screen time should be limited to the barest minimum, be it TV, Ipads or smart phones and as much as possible, there should be adult supervision.

Whatever happened to just giving them a tub full of Lego!!! Sheeesh...

So, how has the iPad and smart phones been received in your family? What sort of limits have you placed on it for the kids? Leave a comment and let us know.

e warned that the condition prevented young people from forming normal social relationships, leaving them drained by the constant interaction.
“Children have access to the internet almost from birth now,”
“They see their parents playing on their mobile devices and they want to play too. It’s difficult, because having a device can also be very useful in terms of having a reward, having a pacifier.
But if you don’t get the balance right it can be very
- See more at: http://www.footiebugs.com/toddlers-are-becoming-so-obsessed-with-ipads-they-require-therapy/#sthash.QKJzucn8.dpuf

She told me she had developed an obsession with the device and would ask for it constantly. She was using it three to four hours every day and showed increased agitation if it was removed - See more at: http://www.footiebugs.com/toddlers-are-becoming-so-obsessed-with-ipads-they-require-therapy/#sthash.QKJzucn8.dpuf

She told me she had developed an obsession with the device and would ask for it constantly. She was using it three to four hours every day and showed increased agitation if it was removed - See more at: http://www.footiebugs.com/toddlers-are-becoming-so-obsessed-with-ipads-they-require-therapy/#sthash.QKJzucn8.dpuf

Role Models In The Home

       Being a good role model is basically parenting well and properly, being a positive influence on children; not just yours but also their friends. Children face many issues as they grow up, from peer pressure to influences that can be less than positive. However, by taking a few pro-active steps, it is possible to motivate your child toward the best and most appropriate activities for their development.

Teach by Example

Provide an example of how to properly behave. Be mindful of how you speak and act in social situations, as well as in front of the family. The phrase "children learn what they live" really is true. Showing your child how a successful and happy adult lives is the best way to parent effectively.
 

Be Involved in Your Child's Life
Take a pro-active stance when it comes to your child's activities. Be active in sports, academics, artistic endeavors, and anything that they are interested in. 

Encourage Good Behavior

Reward your child for work that is well done. Praise and acknowledgment is key for the self-esteem and development of any child and will give incentive to continue. Make your child be responsible for a chore other than their own space, for example, taking out the trash.

Establish Open Communication

Open communication is key to good parenting. Ensure that each day, you have a discussion with your child about how things are going at school, with friends, or just general talk. Find out about any upsets so that they can be addressed and handled quickly. Ask your child if she has anything that they would like to talk about. Deal with questions and answers fairly and openly, giving as much factual information as possible. By being open and relaxed, you will establish a safe space in which your child can communicate. Be prepared to offer information and suggestions to solve problems. Always make time available to discuss any issue that comes up.
 
Mentor Your Child

Effective parenting is essentially great mentoring. Teach your child how taking responsibility can pay off. Demonstrate how being involved in their community is key to being a good person.
 
Become Involved in Your Community
By getting involved in your own community, you can show your own child how positive social activity can be effective and inspiring. This experience will teach your child about understanding and tolerance, and demonstrate how changing the life of another person can be so rewarding.


Always remember that you are the first role model your child will ever have, make the best of it.