Honestly speaking, parenting is a wonderful privilege for anyone that embraces it, but one truth we cannot deny is that it gets complicated at some point. The reason these complications sometimes emerge is as a result of un-intentionality and carefree attitude from most parents. If you outsource the commitment and the ever-increasing responsibilities that come with parenting, you might end up not giving your child the best.
There is also this disturbing ignorance exhibited by many, where parents and guardians think that once they provide shelter, food and clothing for the child, then every need is solved.
Let me divert a little bit.
Every child must pass through five key areas of development. These stages of development equip them with the unique lessons and perspectives that empower them to navigate life successfully.
1.PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
This involves the consistent outward growing of the body and its organs. This growth energizes them for balance and builds good posture for gross motor skills like standing, sitting, running, etc.- This is achieved through proper dieting, sound sleep and exercises.
2.COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
This aspect deals with the training that helps a child think, explore and build the ability to figure things out quickly. This stage in development is where the intellectual ability and capacity of the child is built.
3.COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT
This stage of development is when the child learns to use language and to make conversations.
4.EMOTIONAL DEVELPOMENT
How to best relate and interact with others is developed at this stage. This stage is when they learn self-awareness and control, sympathy and empathy towards others, team-playing and tolerance, confidence and independence.
5.MORAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
This part of the child development is often left out, but this is where understanding what is right or wrong is inculcated, and right values are formed.
If any part of the above explained stages of human development is not properly built, it creates a vacuum that brings limitations.
Do you want to know what’s going on with your child at all times? Are you tired of receiving answers like; “cool” “fine” “okay” when you ask your kid important questions about how they are or how their day went?
Then the following questions/conversations is key to being atop of your child’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF YOUR DAY?
This is an invitation to share something beautiful that happened at school or any other place they were at during the day.
Children loves to tell stories, and a good story will always have details that teach or reveal things.
Asking your child what the best part of their day was will automatically shift their focus to something unique and positive, that will make them relive the good moment they experienced as they share it with you coherently.
DID ANYTHING/ANYONE MAKE YOU LAUGH TODAY?
Just like adults, kids often remember funny moments vividly. This simple question can open the door to a monologue of humourous stories that can last hours. The benefit this brings you is that it gives you a valuable insight into their social life.
Another unintended advantage it brings is that ability they develop to trust you enough by having a funny moment without feeling the pressure of having to do too much to crack you up. This leads to trust in many other areas.
WHICH FRIEND DID YOU SIT WITH OR HAVE LUNCH WITH TODAY, DID YOU MAKE NEW FRIENDS?
The first instinct for you here is to know who they hang out with, then, find ways to protect their dignity and future by correcting and advising them based on their friend list.
This question helps you understand their friendship and social connections. You will also get the opportunity find out when they are struggling or thriving.
DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY DIFFICULT MOMENTS TODAY?
No matter how comfortable life is at the moment, it sometimes brings us more than we can chew. Getting them to open up on their challenges and frustrations with you will open a window to give valid life lessons on how to navigate life despite the many problems that come occasionally.
WHAT NEW THING DID YOU LEARN TODAY?
This aspect is important in their mental growth and intellectual development. It places a demand them to retain knowledge. Knowing that there will be a conversation around what was taught at school, and a request to share lessons learnt in the day will make them more responsible in safeguarding what they are taught.
It is also a way to monitor their academic progress.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT TODAY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
This question right here gives them the opportunity they don’t often get. The opportunity to make suggestions and contributions on matters, especially the ones that connects to them. It opens up conversations about things without you directly asking them, “What went wrong?”
This is where you get answers like, “I wish I can sit with this other person” “I wish we can get more break time” “I wish I had more food/snacks” and so many other wishes, thoughts or even questions that will pop up.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO TOMORROW?
This is where the conversation concludes on hopeful notes. It reveals what motivates and excites them about their daily school and social activities. It also creates room for a solid training on scheduling and optimizing a to-do-list. You get the chance to teach them timeliness and orderliness. They get to know how to prioritise from the inevitable to the optional.
Remember,
The goal of these questions is to get them to open to you. It is like using a questionnaire. You end up getting all the answers you desire, which then points you to the right directions as to their physical, psychological and even moral needs.
We wish you the best as you raise your child(ren) to become champions.
Watch out for the next post. Bye for now.
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