10 Ways To Connect With Your Children During The Holiday

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Holidays are  often a nightmare for some parents. Controlling child (ren) is herculean, you need alot of patience and understanding to deal with them. This is where teachers do better than parents because, they are trained to do what they do while we just jump into parenting and sometimes it's a disaster.


As school sessions draw to a close for summer (long) vacation, many parents begin to panic as they are not sure what to do with the kids for such a long period. Here are some tips on how to handle the situation as prescriibed by Parenting Support System.

1. Be emotionally and Physically available

Many of us get  caught up in our busy "survival" schedule that we forget the little things that are most important. It requires effort to make yourself available and being physically present is not enough. Love goes beyond the physical, you must show them that you care in the way you talk to them and resolve issues concerning them.

2. Engage them in thought provoking conversation to know whats going on in their mind

Though provoking questions/conversations will help them stimulate their minds, develop a solid IQ and strengthen their critical reasoning skills. Do not "baby" them if they are not babies. When you engage them, you would be amazed at how much they know, how fast their brains can process information, how deep they think, their level of understanding.

3. Take interest in their hobbies with an open mind

Being open-minded means being receptive. Be willing to go the extra-mile to learn what make them happy will inspire them more and inspire you too. So, do not try to choose hobbies for them, rather observe them and see how you too can enjoy what they enjoy. This will help your bonding.

4. Invite them into your world, let them know what you do and what your hobbies are

Talking about your work and hobbies is a great way to solve their curiosity about what mummy/daddy does/likes doing. The kids love you too, they want to know more about you than you can imagine, let them in.

5. Create and find new hobbies you will both enjoy

This would help especially for bonding and creativity. Getting to try new things together as a family will keep the flame of togetherness burning. They would always look forward to their holidays so you all an learn new things.

6. Do some activities and chores together, in the process you get talking

"Teamwork makes the dreamwork". This helps to bring the family close. When you work together, you share past experiences and create new ones. You build trust as well.

7. Tell and show you love them

Everyone likes to be reassured from time to time likewise children. You don't just show them love by buying them gifts and meeting their needs. You also need to express your love to them in words. They need to hear it. "Mummy /Daddy loves you". They can even brag about it to their peers as it reassures them that they are special.

8. Go on individual dates with each child

As their faces are different, so are their personalities. so, take time to know you child (ren) individually. The fact that you gave birth to them and nurtured them from birth does not translate to knowing them well enough to understand them. Especially Pre-teens upward, they are becoming self-aware and learning some level of discretion and you have to engage them one-on-one to be able to develop a deep connection them.

9. Let them know you trust them and they can trust you in return

Be their best-friend. Allow them to be themselves around you, encourage them to be better individuals and let them know that you have confidence in them that way they would understand that they also have a responsibility to be good ambassadors of the family and to do you proud in return.

10. Do not loose your cool

Be patient. Try to understand context, do not be quick to judge or criticize them rather, guide them and help them be the best version of themselves.


You would be amazed to find how fast kids learn. Your holidays becomes less stressful and better with time. You can plan your leave period around the child (ren)'s holidays, that way you get to spend quality time together.

Family is everything!




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