Show me any two people who have fun together frequently and I’ll show you a good relationship. People who have regular fun together like each other and most often respect one another. This is a winning combination when it comes to the parent/child relationship. If both parties feel good around each other there will be less animosity, anger, resentment and discord and more ease, comfort, respect and happiness.

To like your kids you must enjoy them regularly. And for them to respond positively to your discipline they must enjoy and like you.
Unfortunately, in the hustle an bustle of everyday life, many of the daily encounters between parent and child go something like this:

“Time to get up.”
“Here’s your breakfast. No TV until you’re done.”
“Got you backpack?”
“You don’t have time to with the dog.”
“Come on, we’re in a hurry!”
“Don’t forget your coat.”
“Love you, bye!”
“How was your day? Got any homework?”
“Leave your brother alone!”
“You have to finish your vegetables if you want dessert.”
“You can play outside for 1 hour. I want you back by 8 o’clock for bed.”
“Did you brush your teeth?” Goodnight.”

Now, how much mutual enjoyment took place on this day? None. The parent saw the child as a bundle of unpleasant tasks, and the child saw the parent as a bundle of directions. No relationship can remain healthy when this kind of interaction is the only feeding it gets.
The antidote? FUN!

When I interviewed over a thousand children around the world as to what it is that their mother or father did for them that made them feel totally happy and loved they said, “Spending one-on-one time with me.”
The possibilities or shared one-on-one fun are endless. Here is a list I’ve compiled over the years after talking to children and families:

1) Going out for dinner on a school night while everyone else stays home
2) Going to a movie
3) Going shopping
4) Going for a bike ride
5) Reading a novel aloud to them
6) Finger painting
7) Baking cookies
8) Playing card/board games
9) Going for a walk in the park
10) Going swimming
11) Doing a collection together (stamps, coins, dolls)
12) Visiting a museum
13) Planting a flower or vegetable together

Shared fun can also come in little doses throughout the day while talking, listening, expressing affection or telling jokes. The impact of these small things is astounding. Let’s redo the scenario described above to illustrate this point. This time, let’s put some FUN into it!

“Unfortunately sleepyhead, it’s time to get.” Dad rubs child’s back.”
“After you demolish your breakfast, you can watch a little TV.”
“Got you three-ton book bag?”
“Rufus sure likes you. Okay, let’ get outta here!”
“You’re moving quicker than I am this morning!”
“Good job remembering your coat, lovebug.”
“Love you, bye!”
“What was the most fun part of your day?”
“Alan, we don’t bug each other like that. You need to stop.”
“Only 1 more piece of broccoli, my sweet, and then we can enjoy a nice dessert together.”
“You can go to Ryan’s house for one hour until 8 o’clock. Have a great time!”
“Hey, welcome home, lovebug! Let’s head on up to the bathroom to brush those teeth.”
“Goodnight. I love you. See you in the morning.”

Lightening up, adding humour and spending some one-on-one time with each child each month is one of the biggest secrets to having a wonderful family life that doesn’t include a lot of stress or need to discipline. Try it and see the difference it can make! Your children will love you for it.

Photo: Pink Sherbert Photography

Erin Kurt, B.Ed, spent 16 years as a teacher and nanny around the world. Now, she applies her expertise as a parenting expert and author of Juggling Family Life. You can learn more about Erin and her simple, loving parenting method, and subscribe to her weekly parenting tips e-zine at ErinParenting.com.

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