| A Secret to Raising Confident Children
One of the best ways to raise confident children, according to research, is for parents to spend quality time with them. Sounds simple? There is a specific method.
“The child who feels secure, safe and seen within their intimate home environment will be the one who is able to go out into the world, take risks, engage more fully and form healthy relationships,” said Dr. Shefali Tsabury, a clinical psychologist whose written books on the subject.
Building this confidence early when kids brains are developing and it may help eliminate some future worrisome behavior. Studies show that children who spend time engaging with and learning from their parents tend to be less anxious and lonely and more empathetic and in control of their emotions. More time can also protect against the onset of depression.
(Did You Know? Kids usually have a sense of the many demands on a parent’s time.)
The key is to focus on quality not quantity time together. Tsabury said that setting aside just 10-15 minutes a day for an engaged interaction such as time after school, going for a walk, or throwing a ball can make a big difference.
For the best results, researchers suggest that parents enter their children’s world of interests rather than the other way around. Most parents can manage to devote a little time each day to mindfully meet their kids where they are.
-Daryl Austin, WSJ |
