Five ways working parents can help their children develop better

It isn’t easy to spend time with kids when both parents are working. This often leaves parents feeling guilty, which in turn results in them fulfilling every demand of their kids. But parenting isn’t about spending the whole day with kids, it’s about spending quality time with each other. Here’re five ways through which busy parents can help their children learn and develop better:

1. Spend quality time with your child, everyday

Children don’t need your money or gadgets. They need you, your time. And that doesn’t mean you need to be with your kids 24X7. Just ensure that you spend quality time (even if it is one hour per day) with each other, everyday. Talk to them about various subjects, not just studies; discuss with them their interests, likes, dislikes, school activities, friends, etc. This way the bond between you two will get strengthened.

2. Help in their homework

We all hate to do homework. But this is the best way to understand how your child is doing at school, his strengths and difficulties in understanding different subjects, his interests in school. So, help your child in homework. This way you will also get to know about their teachers and school friends.

3. Don’t wait for PTMs, talk to your child’s teachers regularly

While it is important to attend Parents Teacher Meeting (PTM), it should not be the only occasion when you interact with your child’s teachers. Parents should try to be in regular touch with teachers, and not only class teacher but also subject teachers, so that they get holistic as well as diverse feedback about their ward. This way, you will be able to guide or understand your child in a better fashion.

4. Stay in touch with your child’s friends and their parents

You need to know who your child is meeting on a regular basis and what kind of families (their values, lifestyle, etc) they come from. It is important for you to understand how your child’s friends are impacting his/her life, so that you can take adequate measures in case he/she is into bad company.

5. Spend some fun time together

While you need to spend quality time everyday with your kids, there should be a day in a week or fortnight which is dedicated to fun, that is, going out for picnic, movie or some sports activity. Or even if it is staying at home, try engaging in some art and craft activities or indoor games. Besides strengthening the bond between you two, the time spend together will help your child in achieving a healthy inner growth.

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