This is a great activity to do when the kids get home from school or after dinner.  Sit down with your child in a quiet and comfortable place and have a "pretend" microphoine to speak into.  Tell them you're a reporter doing a story about their day.  Then, ask questions such as their favorite food, animal, color, etc.

This helps you engage with them in a positive way and they can give you some information you could use at a later time.  Have fun!  remember, it's not the quantiy of time you spend with your kids that counts; it's the quality of time.

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One of the things I love about children is their spontaneity.  The younger the child, the more of it you see.  They havn't shut down yet, thinking it's weird to act silly in public.  If you watch children do this, they're having fun!   Okay, so you're not willing to look silly in public; how about with your kids in the car?  Take truns making silly faces in the car, copying one another and having some fun.  Maybe you could even give the faces special names and use them again when your child least expects it.

The more you lighten up as a parent and begin having fun, letting your little kid within pop out to play, the more fun  you'll have with your children.  It's definitely a win-win for everyone.

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This is a good activity if your child is really revved up and hyperactive.  Tell him or her it's time to move like a turtle.  How well can they move slowly?  Then you lead the way and have your child join you.  Perhaps you could fold laundry slowly together, or set the table or dance to music.  make sure you're smiling and having fun.   more »

Engagement activities are those the parent initiates to have some fun time with the children.  For younger children, the face blows task is a fun one.  The parent can tell the child its time for fun blows and then blow softly into the child;s hair.  Then, the child does it.  You can blow on the face as well, having fun and smiling together.  This gives your child a chance to see you as being fun to be around.   more »

Another positive nurturing activity involves taking turns brushing or combing each other's hair.  Whilr the parent combs the child's hair, make some positive comments about the hair, the head, etc.   more »

You can pick any Wiggles song and dance with your child.  If the child is older, put on a tune that's upbeat and positive.  End the dance, holding hands, then fall on the floor and cuddle.  The end of the activity is the nurturing part.   more »

Pick a quiet time to sit down with your child and put lotion on his or her fingers and toes, rubbing it in gently and slowly.  You can talk about how special the toes and fingers are; they belong to your child.  As you rub the lotion in, comment on how you're applying lotion to the fingers and toes and the child is still The name of your child.  This helps the child develop a stronger sense of self.  Have fun!   more »

Nurturing activities are designed for the parent to help the child feel safe and secure.  They reassure the child that the adult can provide comfort and stability, meeting the child's need for comfort, regardless of the age.  If you have an older child that gets upset and regresses to a younger age emotionally, your child is letting you know he or she needs some reassurance you still love him or her, even when they act out.  These activities help the child to relax and also helps to strengthen the feeling that the child is lovable and valued.

Nurturing acitivities, which will be discussed in the following blog entries, focus on the special qualities of the child.  They include physical touch given in a positive, calming way.  They allow a child to feel comfortable at his or her emotional age.  If your ten year old child has been acting like a ...   more »

Shannon Miller, a mother of five, wrote an article about how to keep your childrenI keep children’s wondering minds from making the household utter disaster.  She shares suggestions that will help keep children’s wondering minds from making the household utter disaster like hers once were.   more »

Jim Fay wrote a wonderful article for parents on how to use enforcable statements with your children so you're in control instead of them.  The ideas are simple and easy to use.  Enjoy.   more »