Breaking the Habit
Child’s Play
How to Better Connect With Young Kids
Unfortunately, kids don’t come with manuals. We all want to be the best parents possible and build a lifelong relationship with our children, but between work, household responsibilities, and taking care of your child’s physical needs, who has the time for anything else? Luckily, it doesn’t take a lot to create a connection with your children when they’re little, and the benefits will last for decades. Here are some expert tips to reinforce your special bond. Play . When kids aren’t eating, sleeping, or learning, they’re playing. It’s not just fun and games — children learn through play, and it helps them make sense of the world around them. Engaging in developmentally appropriate play alongside your children is one of the fastest ways to forge a connection. Playing with dolls and cars may not be super fun for you, but it is for them, and taking an interest in the things they love will mean a lot to them. Play also takes many forms, including arts and crafts, dancing, and make-believe. So, be ready to include the activities you love, too. Touch . Little kids typically explore the world through touch, but they also tend to get less cuddly as time goes on. Take full advantage of those tactile years now and create a physical bond with your child. Simple options include snuggling on the couch, holding hands when in public, tousling hair, or rubbing shoulders. Most kids also love a bit of roughhousing, so don’t be afraid to play-wrestle, give piggyback rides, and engage in tickle fights — as long as everyone knows the rules and respects each other’s boundaries. Talk. Once children learn to talk, many don’t take long to begin chattering their parents’ ears off. It can be simultaneously cute and frustrating, but it’s also an opportunity to get to know your child better. Young kids often love reminiscing, even if they’re only recapping their day. They also have plenty of questions that can be a learning opportunity for both of you. And don’t underestimate the number of opinions your child would love to share, especially if you ask. No matter how you connect with your children, take the time to slow down, put the devices away, and give your undivided attention. A few quality minutes a day will add up to many precious memories.
How to Cut Your Kids’ Screen Time
The science is clear: Too much screen time can lead to kids experiencing developmental delays, poor sleep, and weight gain. And yet, kids love those small glowing devices. To keep your children healthy, you need to find a way to set limits. But how can you create rules around their favorite pastimes without causing a lot of drama? Create realistic rules. You know your family best. Review the American Academy of Pediatrics’ best practices for screen time online, and then consider what’s both healthy and doable. Maybe the ultimate screen time spent will be more than the experts suggest, but an improvement is better than no change. Determine usage limits and establish device-free times. Then create clear expectations and consequences, and don’t back down from enforcing them. Take the devices away. It is not a punishment, though it might feel like one to your kids at first. But it’s actually helping them by removing the temptation. Your elementary school child will be less likely to get sucked into a YouTube hole, and your teen won’t send “just one” text at dinner if the device isn’t right there. Keep these devices out of sight during no-use time, and put them away once your kids have met their daily limits. In the end, it will make things easier. Spend More Time Together. Giving your children your undivided attention is incredibly valuable, even if it’s only for short periods. Figure out how you can create more face time (not FaceTime). Start conversations and play games to spend time together as a family. Even better, get outside! If you’re willing to spend time with them and act a little silly, your kids will have more fun kicking a ball around rather than playing Roblox. Better yet, you’ll both get some exercise. Finally, consider the example you’re setting. It’s hard to blame kids for their screen addiction when adults also have trouble prying themselves away from laptops, tablets, and phones. Think about how you can reduce your own screen time and consider installing an app that tracks your usage like StayFree or Social Fever. You might be surprised at how much time you spend staring at a little screen — and be inspired to cut back.
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