THE BEST
GIFT TO GIVE
During
this holiday season, the best gift you can give your children is your time. School holidays offer an opportunity for the
family to spend more time together and for the parents to improve positive
communication and relationship with children. Many parents, thinking of the
fact that they will have to plan activities and fun for their children, may
consider the approaching school holidays stressful.
From
children’s perspective, quality time includes direct and full attention of
their parents. Sometimes it is difficult to find the ‘right’ time to spend with
children. Apart from shared activities, quality time with children includes
quality communication, too. Take time to talk with children. It is important in
building an open and honest relationship, creating an atmosphere where children
can feel free to take up any issues. While talking, remember to listen to what your child has to
say. Encourage your child’s curiosity and interests by asking a lot of ‘Why?’
and ‘How?’ questions. This helps children to learn how to express their
thoughts and feelings. Let the children talk about themselves, about what they
like to do, about their worries. This will help in creating an atmosphere of
trust and acceptance.
Holidays
are often a time of joy and gift-giving. However, they are also an opportunity
to spend more time with our children. Children acquire experience of emotional
bonds, of belonging and of their own identity in the atmosphere and events in
the family. Therefore, our time, attention and feelings should be given to our
children, together with gifts. That way, we satisfy children’s emotional needs
for love, acceptance and respect.