"How was school?" "Fine." How many times have you had this weary exchange with your children? Parenting author Sarah MacLaughlin shares her best tips for expanding the after-school chat. By Alexa Tucker, REDBOOK.
mom and kid
One look says it all
To build a platform for a meaningful post-class conversation, MacLaughlin says, "Connect with your child nonverbally. Look her in the eye. Smile. Wink. Beam her with love. This warms up your relationship with your child without putting any demands on her." This will also let her know you're ready to give her your full attention.
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Remind them of your affection
It's no secret how important it is for kids to feel cared about. Before diving into conversation, MacLaughlin suggests, "Express your love and gratitude. Tell him, 'I love you!' This fortifies your connection with him further." Give him a genuine compliment, or give his hand a squeeze. Not every talking point in your chat has to be a
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