Connect With Kids – Part 4

Connect With Kids – Part 4

We’ve been talking about ways to connect with kids and the importance of doing so as an adult.  Resiliency or resilience is the Teflon coating that helps kids to the ills of society, drugs, alcohol, sexual encounters, and depression.  When we purposefully go about building resilience in kids, we add to their emotional bank account, as Stephen R. Covey refers to in his landmark book, The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People.  Stephen talks about how certain things that we do, such as having a conversation with kids, help build a positive relationship with others, and then when we make a mistake. However, it may be a withdrawal; there is still something left on the account because we have paid into it emotionally.

So it is with kids, our interactions, even as older adults, are essential.  Kids want to interact with older adults but are as hesitant as the adults are to interact with them.  Break the ice and be an asset builder with kids to start a conversation with them.  Here are ten more questions to ask kids.

1) Have you ever walked in light rain and just enjoyed getting wet?

2) Do you know what I learned today?  I learned that sitting and looking at the moon is good for your soul and spirit.

3)  Do your friends work to do well in school?  Why or why not?

4) What did you do today that you loved?

5)  What did you learn today?

6) When did you last help someone?  What did you do?

7)  How do you feel when you help someone else?

8)  If you have 10-15 minutes before you go somewhere, what do you do besides look at your phone?

9)  Who is your favorite group, or what is your favorite song right now?  When you get home, look up the music and listen to it, listen to the words, and learn what they are learning.

10)  What most affects your attitude about school?  Positive or negative?

Numbers four and five are from my Mentor, John Maxwell, and he asks his grandchildren both of those questions every day that he sees them.  I’ve started to ask them even about adults and have found that they enjoy them too.

For other posts in this series, click here Connect With Kids – Part 2 – Dr. Rich Patterson (pattersonphd.com); Connect With Kids – Dr. Rich Patterson (pattersonphd.com); Connect With Kids – Part 6 – Dr. Rich Patterson (pattersonphd.com)

I love this list provided by Imperfect Families here 50 Simple Ways to Connect With Your Kids (imperfectfamilies.com)

Yours for Better Parenting,

Rich Patterson