Article: Easy Ways to Connect with Your Kids After School
Easy Ways to Connect with Your Kids After School
The beginning of a new school year is a big adjustment for everyone. Whether your littles are beginning full day school, switching schools, starting school for the first time, or just starting a new school year it is a lot! There are new schedules, rules and expectations to learn. This can be extremely exhausting mentally, emotionally, and physically for kids. You may see them act out or shut down in different ways. Here are some tips to help you reconnect with your child after the school day.
photo: behavior hub
Give them space
Let your child rest for 15 minutes in a quiet place when they get home. Rather than asking questions, use comforting statements. Keep it simple. Of course we all want to know how their day was, but this can be overwhelming, without meaning to. Give some space and let them have some quiet before jumping into recalling their day! Let your child lead.
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Have a snack
Sometimes in the excitement of recess, kids will skip their snack or have a small lunch so they can play. Have a snack ready for them after school, so they can reset and recharge!
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Make time for play
Let them play and play with them! This reduces stress, improves connections, helps to calm down, can increase confidence, and can allow them to process through their day. Change where they play or play in new ways!
photo: stay at home mom
When they are ready, talk!
When your child is ready to talk about their day, let them! Let them bring up and chat for as long as they like. When there is a lull, ask questions about their day. What are they proud of? What was hard? What was the best part of their day?
Remember that your connection with your child is measured by quality - not noise, or amount of activities. Provide positive attention with warmth and show interest in what they do, your child will notice. You know your child best! We hope these tips help you reconnect after a busy school day.
SOURCES:
https://toddlerapproved.com/after-school-tips-for-parents/
https://lilactherapycenter.org/blog/strengthening-parent-child-connection-after-school
