Common sense tells us a key to a strong family is genuine connections between its members. As a parent. I often try to get my kids to engage in my world, and the things that matter most to me. Granted, an important part of parenting is passing along values through family traditions, experiences, and our faith. But it’s equally important for me to enter into my child’s world and become involved in what’s important to him. It connects us and builds self-esteem in both of us.

Let’s face it. What our kids think is important probably isn’t the same as what we think is important. What do kids consider high priority? Having fun. Learning about something that interests them. Working on a joint project without criticism, to name a few. Here are a few suggestions for entering your child’s world.

• Have fun. When’s the last time you simply played with your child? Or colored with her? Or played hide-and-seek? What does your child love to do? Ask if you can do it with them. And then play it their way, even if you have a different way you’d rather do it. Affirm his fun-loving spirit and creativity.
• Learn about something that interests him. What is your child into? Animals? Music? Art? Science? Books? Sports? Figure it out and become your child’s student. Let him teach you about it. Listen  and ask questions. Learn along with him even if you already know more about it than he does. I guarantee he’ll learn more if he’s teaching you than if you simply told him what you already know. And it will boost his self confidence to have the opportunity to lead you by teaching.
• Work on a project together without criticism. Bake cookies. Build a model. Do yard work or housework. Set up an aquarium. Whatever the project, build your child up by telling him what a good partner he is. Let him do the project his way, mistakes included, assuming they aren’t dangerous. He’ll learn quickly what does and doesn’t work. For instance, saying, “Well, now we know what happens when we add salt to a recipe instead of sugar!” frees him up to learn from, rather than feel bad about, his mistakes. When your child is free to make mistakes without criticism, he isn’t afraid to try new things and won’t be nervous about doing other things with you in the future. Keep a good sense of humor as you work.

Entering your child’s world and making his interests a priority will pay off in spades in the long run. He’ll feel valued for who he is and the way God made him. And you’ll have another way to relate to your child as he grows.

In what ways have you entered into your child’s world?