Challenge your child to create a recipe and write it down. Try it out!
Remind your child how important it is to turn in work. Just one missing assignment can lower a grade.
Talk together about your child’s dream job.
When your child is talking to you, tune everything else out and listen.
Serve your child breakfast in bed this weekend as a special treat.
Play board or card games as a family tonight.
Make a point of saying thank you when your child does something helpful, whether asked or unasked.
Have your child estimate how long it will take perform a task or travel somewhere, then do it to find the real answer.
Give your child a say in something, such as which movie to watch, what kind of pizza to order or which shirt to wear.
Suggest screen-free activities your child can do alone—crafts, reading or listening to music.
Enjoy some physical activity with your child. You’ll both get exercise— and it may lead to some interesting conversation.
Find a place to display things your child is proud of, such as awards and improved work.
Whenever possible, use positive phrases instead of pessimistic ones. Replace “It won’t work” with “Why don’t we try it?”
Ask to see some of your child’s returned schoolwork, such as a paper, test or art project.
Give your child a sincere compliment today.
Admit and apologize to your child when you’re wrong.
At dinner, have all family members talk about their heroes, and why they admire them.
Have your child tell you about the assignments that are due this week.
Play music while the family does chores. Have fun singing while you all work.
Remind your child to consider character rather than popularity when choosing friends.