Society likes to keep the family unit busy. Parents invest perhaps too much into their jobs, so they cannot leave their work at work. The children are in a similar predicament with school, not simply going for the education but trying to fit in and deal with stress that should not be on a child’s shoulders. Parents take time to talk with your children. Be the kind of trustworthy parent that your child feels like they can come to you with anything. If they do not feel like they can, you may be failing.
Parents might want to sit down and discuss what their expectations are for each other. Both should agree on what rules, expectations and consequences there are for their children. Perhaps more importantly, back each other up. Parents need to be equally invested in each other and in their children. Corrective redirects, constructive criticism, and deductive reasoning can help a lot. There should be no good cop, bad cop. Stand your ground, your child will thank you for it later. Consistency is so important. Children resent when parents only have consequences when they are angry. They also are resentful when parents are unfair. Reacting in anger is never a good thing. Reacting radically to an accident is ridiculous. Children do not respect a fool. Never have favorites. Relationships with each child is different, as each child is an individual and unique. All of your children should know you love them equally.
Beware of too much time spent amusing ourselves; social media scrolling, games, apps, texting, and the list goes on. While entertaining, it is too easy to become addicted. It is a problem with all ages and genders. Time is better spent connecting with family and friends. Far too often people will go out into public where they could be making friends and making a difference, but they have more interest in their phones and miss the most basic of human actions, interactions. Be aware of how much time is spent on any one thing outside the family unit, whether it be gaming, on your phone, or anything else that hinders communication with those who care about you. When you find yourself reacting badly when you have to stop doing something, that is a good indicator that it is an unhealthy dependance. In life when you find yourself justifying something, that is because you know deep down that it is wrong. So, pay attention to yourself and your habits.
