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5 ways to make parenting fun

By Ivana Katz

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 26Jan2009 Word count: 870 Viewed: 272 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Making parenting fun can be a challenge sometimes. There are a number of reasons why it can be a challenge including the endless hours, the stress and of course those less than perfect times when no one is cooperating. But, how can you make even these times more enjoyable? There is a variety of ways that you can give kids fun without making everything child's play. In other words, you can definitely help your children to enjoy themselves, learn and grow, while still following the rules.

Before you read these methods for making parenting fun, keep in mind that you should have some ground rules in place. There should always be a rule about respecting each other. Lay down the rules about safety. Even in the most fun games, there are rules to follow. The same thing is true for parenting. You need to establish what the rules will be, then you can have fun within them. Here are some ideas for making learning fun.

#1: Sing a Song

Most parents will want children to learn responsibility and how to care for their things. Even children as young as two and three can be taught to put their things away. But, chores are no fun. They can lead to temper tantrums too. A good way to overcome this is to introduce some music. Talk to your child about the reasons that they do have to help out and contribute to the family by doing their chores. Then, make it fun.

Let them know that they have until the song ends to clean up all the toys on the floor. · Give them the chance to sing their favorite song while they put their clothing away. · Have your kids dance away their toys: they pick up the toys, do a few twirls and put them right into the toys box!

Making music part of the process relaxes everyone and still gets the job done. It can be one of the best ways to motivate your child.

#2: Get Down There With Them

Children want to know that mom and dad are people that they love to be around. If you are the type of parent that just tells your kids what to do, let loose. Get down on the floor and play with them. Get out the board games or play a game of charades. You are still being a parent, but, you are spending quality time with your children that they will remember for the long term. This is one of the best ways to teach kids to act, too. They will follow your lead over anyone else's.

#3: Invite Them Into The Kitchen

Cooking, cleaning, homework...the kitchen is a place where a lot of things happen. Get your kids involved with what you do in the kitchen, too. Older children can even learn to cook, or at least help to make cookies. You are making parenting fun by instilling these skills into your child, but also you are doing something with them.

#4: Tell Stories

There will be times when parenting is not fun. It could be a time when you just can't find the right words to say, such as when someone gets hurt or when there is an argument. In these times, you can still make parenting fun by explaining through story telling. It can be hard to understand, for example, why the family pet passed away, but when you explain how you felt, what you did, and what happened to you when you were a child and lost your first pet, then your children will understand too. Sure, the topic is not fun, but the way you give the lesson can be. Children latch on to these memories and educational bits far more than the lessons they learn at school.

#5: Be Flexible

Physically, it is important to be flexible with the kids (nothing like fighting with a child that seems to have more limbs than he should.) At the same time, be flexible with your child on a daily basis. Kids have fun when you incorporate fun activities into their day. Bend the rules. Be a little late if it means doing something fun. Here are some ideas.

Ride a bike to school with the kids once a week. · Have a picnic in the backyard if you can't make it to the park. · Play a game of football with the kids in the yard: you versus all of them. · Help them with their homework instead of hounding them to get it done. · Take the family to the park you used to play at. · Get in a water gun fight with them or a water balloon fight. · Play tag. · Let them stay up late if they don't have to get up in the morning and tell ghost stories together.

The more creative you can be as a parent, the more fun kids will have. Making parenting fun is not only fun for your child, but it can be fun for you. Imagine the memories you are creating with each one of these fun activities for kids. Chances are good these things will stick with your child. The rules are followed, but the kids are also having fun.

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