Here we go again! As promised, here is the second part of Overcoming Obstacles in Fulfilling your Children’s New Year Resolution.
Don’t forget to read the first part of this article by clicking on this link: www.qdeesblog.com/2017/12/23/overcoming-obstacles-in-fulfilling-your-childrens-new-year-resolution-part-i/.
- Read more books in a month
The challenges
Is your child clocking in more leisure time with the TV, Ipad, and video games instead of reading?
How to aim for the win?
Does your child feel like reading is a chore instead of a choice? Well, interest begets fun! Let your child’s interest guide his/her reading choices, whether it’s in the form of junior novel, magazine, or even that cool Batman comic book that you also secretly wish to buy! Another great idea is to symbolize his/her reading milestones in a tangible form. May we suggest a bookshelf or display case for his/her completed books? Think of the displayed books on the shelf as trophies!
- Be a better listener
The challenges
“How many times do I have to tell you?” Or, “Look at me and answer right now or I’ll forfeit your video games privilege!” (Are you tired of repeating these scripts to your child?)
How to aim for the win?
First of all, unplug any distractions to improve any communication. And we are all guilty from time to time of yelling at our children from the kitchen while they are in their room. Remember, parents! Always face your child and maintain eye contact when conversing and ask your child to repeat what you said after telling him/her something. If you want to have fun while polishing your child’s listening aptitude, try talking to each other over activities that require focus and listening skills, like piecing a jigsaw puzzle together, playing a game of Scrabble, or solving a crossword.
“If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.”
– Turkish proverb
- Start exercising more
The challenges
So you’ve read the article on child obesity which claims that almost 30 percent of children and teenagers aged between 6 to 17 are either overweight or obese. The thought of your child’s penchant for fast food, soda, and video games suddenly becomes a real concern because you don’t want your child to be a part of the statistic!
How to aim for the win?
Don’t get caught in the cliché mindset of what it means to be physically active. Of course, it is impressive if your child can beat you in a 5K run or hit more push-ups in a minute, but then again, great things begin with baby steps! Start small with simple and enjoyable exercises. Why not exercise with your child whenever there is an opportunity? Think out of the box for alternative activities that can make your child break a sweat while having fun, for example, playing catch, hopscotch, jumping rope, and even dodgeball.
- Be kind to others
The challenges
Never saying ‘thank you’, ‘you’re welcome’ and ‘please’. Zero tolerance for queuing up at the playground. A constant distaste for sharing with siblings and friends. Are these the habits of your child?
How to aim for the win
Children see, children do. So, what can be a better way to teach your child about kindness than showing it yourself? Be a model of positive behavior by showing politeness and respect for people around you and your child will eventually mirror your character. Develop your child’s empathy by encouraging them to imagine himself/herself in someone else’s shoe. Besides asking “What did you learn today?” to your child after school, but why don’t you follow-up with “What act of kindness did you offer to others today?” This kind of question will expand his/her outlook on life from a self-centered point of view to the needs of others around him/her.
“Maybe part of our formal education should be training in empathy. Imagine how different the world would be if, in fact, that were ‘reading, writing, arithmetic, empathy.’”
– Neil deGrasse Tyson
So there you have it! We wish you all the best in the pursuit of your child’s New Year resolutions. May the year 2018 bring you a bounty of success and joy!
By Ahmad Hisham
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