Life @ WHOPA

Wednesday Night, March 15th, Dr. Gill shared great insight on how to understand what our children might be trying to tell us through their behavior and even through physical aches and pains that they may feel. We were admonished to pay attention to what our kids are saying and doing and what they are communicating to us on a daily basis. If we don't spend much time with our kids, we may never notice many of the ways in which they communicate emotional stress that they may be experiencing or even abuse that they may be enduring. 

Children are a gift from the Lord. - Psalm 127:3

Our school counselor shared  practical tools that we can use as we take on the task of getting to know our children better and being the parents that God has called us to be. If you missed the parent workshop, here are some tidbits that you can start practicing today to build a better relationship with your children.

1. There are 168 hours in a week, and your children are spending most of them away from you. Be intentional about scheduling time with your children. We [parents]--not the television, the iPAD, or the neighbours-- are called to train up our children in the way that they should go. 

2. Have real conversations with your children. Dinner time table talk is a time-tested strategy that works wonders for fostering an enviornment of open communication within families. Ask, and they will tell. We as parents are responsible for creating/establishing an enviornment and culture of communication within our families. 

3. Periodically check on the emotional state of your children using emoticons to get children to talk about what is weighing heavily on their hearts/minds. 

4. Simple Strategy Alert: Using a daily devotional for less than 15 minutes a day is a surefire way to spend quality time with your kiddos. Find a great option here.

Need more tips and/or strategies ? Have a concern about your child or need to speak to someone ? Please contact our office to schedule an appointment with our school counselor.