Parents Archives

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

Overcoming Communication Barriers with Your Teen

There are times when a child, especially a teen, stops talking to their parents. Such withdrawal is concerning and very challenging. Possible reasons for such behaviour are: the teen is seeking independence; the teen is experiencing emotional changes; the teen is experiencing stress and anxiety and could not express it well; there are conflicts and misunderstandings at home; and the teen may be feeling unsupported or judged and thus shuts other people down.

When this happens, it is understandable for a parent to be worried. Still, you have to step back and analyse the situation. There is no one single solution to this problem, so we’ll talk about a three-pronged approach that could possibly work.

focused young asian mother working remotely while children playing on sofa — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

First, reflect on your communication style. We always talk about teens needing to have self-awareness, but parents need to have high self-awareness too. Are you harsh and judgmental when you speak to your teen? Do you focus too much on the negatives and downplay their achievements? Are you impatient? There are times when a child’s actions are just their response to their parents’ actions. Reflect on your communication style and see if you could be part of the problem.

Next, after reflecting on your communication style, create a safe and open environment for your child. Ensure that your home is a safe and judgement-free space where your teen will feel comfortable to talk. Truly allot time listening to your child. Keep your gadgets away and give your teen your full attention. Try not to aim so solve the issue immediately. Sometimes, it may take a while for your child to really open up. Patience is key.

curious smart black boy reading fairytale while sister listening — Photo by Marta Wave on Pexels.com

Finally, if all else fails, it may be time to involve a trusted third party. It could be your parents or your siblings. Sometimes, teens may find it easier to open up to someone outside the family. You can get help from your pastor, a therapist, or a counsellor. Sometimes, a third party can be like a coach who can see your family issues from a different, unbiased perspective. They may be able to facilitate you and your child patching up your relationship since they will not be taking anyone’s side.

Remember, the goal is to reconnect with your teenager and create an environment where they feel safe and valued. While the journey may be challenging, patience, self-reflection, and the willingness to seek external support can make a significant difference. By understanding the underlying reasons for their withdrawal and taking proactive steps, you can rebuild your relationship and foster a more open communication with your teen.

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024

Goals of Parents and Goals of Children – Reconciling the Gap

A common point of contention between parents and children is their differing goals. A child may have their own goals and dreams for themselves. Then, a parent may have a completely different dream for their child. Reconciling this difference is challenging, but possible. This article explores the distinction between parents’ goals from children’s goals. We will also talk about how to bridge that gap and foster a supportive environment with regards to the children’s aspirations.

Parents’ goals for their children are usually shaped by their life experiences and long-term perspective. They desire financial stability and focus on providing for the family. On the other hand, children’s goals are influenced by their immediate interests and curiosity. Many still desire exploration and play without the burden of providing or planning for the future. This already shows a vast difference in parents’ and children’s perspectives and priorities.

Parents’ goals for their children are also usually long-term, including career advancement and future family stability. On the other hand, children may only have short-term goals, such as making friends, pursuing hobbies, or succeeding in school.

In terms of achievement and success, parents’ measures are the over-all well-being of the family, career accomplishments, and contributions to the society. For children, on the other hand, success is defined through academic achievements, mastering new skills, and other personal milestones.

No one goal is completely better than another. Both parents and children have valid perspectives. The goal here is to reconcile the differing goals. Having open communication is a great way to do this. Both parents and children should feel comfortable discussing their aspirations and concerns. Both sides must not only express their thoughts freely, but also listen actively and not be defensive. Whatever the children eventually decide to pursue, the parents must trust in their children’s discernment, knowing that they had done enough to teach and guide their children.

photo of woman and girl talking while lying on bed — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Reconciling the differing goals of parents and children is essential for creating a harmonious family relationship. By fostering open communication, mutual respect, and understanding, both parties can work together to support each other’s aspirations. Parents should trust in their children’s ability to make informed decisions, while children should appreciate the wisdom and experience their parents offer. In this way, families can bridge the gap and build a supportive environment where everyone’s goals are valued and nurtured.

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024

The Essential Role of Vacations for Students: Balancing Relaxation and Productivity

Our children face today’s fast-paced and demanding academic environment. After each term of arduous work in school, vacations play a role in ensuring their over-all well-being and development. Vacations are not just breaks from routine, but an opportunity for both rest and productive non-academic activities. These times are well-deserved by students, so it’s important that they are spent wisely.

So, why are vacations important for students?

First, vacations are a time for physical rest. As the same time, they are also a time for mental rest and stress relief. This helps prevent burnout and allows students to recharge. This recharging and relaxation are crucial for their mental well-being. We’ll also see that vacation breaks allow students to have a refreshed mind, which may lead to better academic performance when school re-opens.

Next, vacations are a great time for social and family bonding. Catching up with friends and family which are done on vacations strengthens their relationships and creates lasting memories. This social support offers them emotional stability.

woman and three children playing water — Photo by Yulianto Poitier on Pexels.com

Finally, vacations are a time for students to explore interests outside school. They may have a day or two of just lounging around and doing nothing, but it’s good if they do something more productive. This may contribute to personal growth and development.

So, what productive things can they do during their holidays? We are not talking about tuition and catching up on readings, but other fun, productive, less stressful activities.

Vacations are an ideal time for enriching hobbies that students are passionate about. These may be playing musical instruments, trying baking or cooking, doing digital arts, and other similar activities. These can be both enjoyable and beneficial for personal development.

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Next, participating in community service or volunteer work can be a great way for students to spend their vacation. This can be a good bonding moment with family members, too, which allows plenty of teaching moments and opportunities to share one’s insights about life.

Finally, and probably a favourite of many, travelling to new places can be done during vacations. Travelling can be an educational experience which exposes students to different cultures. By travelling, they can both have fun and engage their minds.

We hope Milchelians are having a fun and productive mid-year break so that they all come back refreshed to start another term!

May 29, 2024May 29, 2024

Harnessing the Internet: How Our Children Can Use the Internet Productively

In our previous post, we talked about some of the dangers that our children face online. Now, let’s talk about some of the productive ways our children can use the internet. With our guidance, they can maximize the power of the internet and use it to their advantage in our highly digitally interconnected world.

First of all, the internet is a great educational resource. Our children can access online courses on sites like Khan Academy and Coursera. They can also use educational games and apps to enhance their learning. Online resources can help them improve their math skills or learn a new language. Websites like Google Scholar, National Geographic Kids, and Britannica Kids are excellent options to explore.

mother helping her daughter with homework — Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com

Secondly, the internet is a place where children can enhance their creativity and self-expression. Canva for Education and Wattpad are great sites for creative activities. They can create and share their digital art, writings, and multimedia projects. Starting a blog or YouTube channel can also be a fun way to express themselves. However, adult guidance is still needed for this endeavour.

Thirdly, the internet has made social connections faster and easier. Our children can stay in touch with family and friends. It’s important that they are supervised while using social media and messaging platforms. From Google Hangouts to Zoom, Facebook to Instagram, there are still dangers, so parental supervision is necessary.

photo of child smiling while using tablet computer — Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels.com

Finally, children can use the internet for career exploration. They can research various career paths and understand the skills required for different jobs. A simple Google search can direct them to numerous helpful sites that provide valuable information about their future careers.

With the right guidance, our children can use the internet safely and productively, turning it into a powerful tool for learning, creativity, connection, and career exploration.

May 15, 2024May 15, 2024

Responsible Digital Citizenship in Children

Nowadays, internet is a ubiquitous tool in our lives. It is widely used in areas like communication and social networking. It is also used in education, e-commerce and shopping, entertainment, and work and productivity, to name a few. For both us, adults, and our kids, the internet is a useful tool.

As such, the world of the internet is also an area where kids need guidance as they use and explore. The term “responsible digital citizenship” is now being commonly used. It refers to responsible and ethical online behaviour that we all must practice. Doing this helps us to have a healthy and safe experience in the digital world.

There are many reasons why we parents should teach our children responsible digital citizenship. In this article, we will talk about the most cause of concern for growing kids.

First, addiction to gadgets and the internet is a major concern of many parents. Excessive screen time affects children’s sleep, academics, and over-all habits, so this is a foremost concern that parents must address. If left unchecked, this could lead to addiction that is much difficult to correct.

person with smartphone standing in projection of zeros and ones — Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

Second is the spread of misinformation. Without our guidance, children can access volumes of information online that may be untrue or just plain harmful. It is our responsibility as adults to block suspicious sites and sources of information. We must also teach our kids to be discerning in what they see online. Keep an open communication so your child knows to ask you for things that they find out online.

photo of woman tutoring young boy — Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels.com

Finally, children must know that their actions online leave permanent digital footprint. Educate them about the consequences of their online actions that may harm themselves or others. A seemingly harmless post today may have consequences in the future. Because of this, we must always remind our children to “think before you click”.

These are just some of the dangers awaiting our children online. These are also why we should take a proactive role in educating our kids about responsible digital citizenship. Sometimes, we parents become too relaxed in our children’s access to the internet. This is a very serious matter that demands our watchful guidance. Take no chances and make sure that you educate your child on how to become responsible digital citizens.

April 30, 2024April 30, 2024

Why Is Self-Awareness Important?

The idea of self-awareness has been gaining popularity recently, appearing in many articles, videos, and social media content. This interest is well-justified, as self-awareness is crucial across all stages of life. It plays a significant role in adults’ work, family life, social interactions, and personal growth. Similarly, self-awareness is essential for teens as they mature and build their identity, as well as for school-age children who are learning values and habits that will shape their lives.

To begin with, why is self-awareness important? Imagine a baby crying, and you don’t know how to soothe them. You can’t calm the baby because you lack awareness of what they need—are they hungry or in pain? This scenario illustrates how awareness is vital for addressing a situation effectively. Similarly, if you don’t know which of your behaviours need improvement (having awareness), how can you improve?

Let’s apply this to students. If a teen is unaware that their poor eating habits are causing physical issues, how can they improve? How will they be motivated to change if they don’t recognize the problem? The same applies to students who are unaware of their unhealthy attachment to gadgets leading to poor school performance. Without awareness of the issue, they won’t take steps to address it.

In simple terms, self-awareness is the starting point for any positive behaviour change. This is why AWARENESS is the first of Milchel’s 5 Key Traits (Awareness, Discipline, Responsibility, Perseverance, Confidence).

Children and teens may not always have high self-awareness, so adults should step in and guide them when their lack of awareness affects them. By nurturing self-awareness in the younger generations, we pave the way for them to develop healthier habits and a better understanding of themselves and their surroundings. In turn, this creates a more mindful and compassionate society for all. As adults, maintaining high self-awareness not only helps us lead by example, but it also allows us to navigate our own lives with greater clarity and purpose.

March 4, 2024March 4, 2024

Instilling Responsible Spending Habits

Responsible spending habits are an essential skill that everyone must have. As we have observed in Milchel, children have different spending habits. Some as responsible, but others are excessive in their spending. One this is for sure – they learned their spending habits from their parents. Directly or indirectly, it’s the parents who have taught them whatever they know about money and spending.

If you have young children who are just beginning to understand the concept of money and spending, now’s the good time to teach them responsibly spending. As they say, it’s best to start them early. At an early age, children must learn to distinguish between needs and wants. Do they really need that new toy? Or do they just want it? Do they really need that insanely expensive bag? Or do they just want it?

While we teach our children to think about their needs and wants before making a purchase, we also encourage them to think critically. Do they really need that top of the line gadget? Or will a mid-level one do the job? Is it really wise to spend their pocket money for the month in just one weekend? The more they practice critical thinking, they easier they will develop a good judgement when it comes so spending their money.

Finally, let me circle back to the start of this article. We said that whatever spending habits your children have, they definitely learned it from you. So the best tip to remember in instilling responsible spending habits is to lead by example. Whatever our children see from us are incredibly influential in our children’s attitudes towards money and spending. That being said, reflect on your own spending habits and what your children are learning from you. If there’s still a room for improvement, enter that room with your child and change your spending habits together.

Over-all, it all boils down to your family’s values that you pass on to your children. Once they know the difference between needs and wants and the importance of being reasonable in spending, they can then think critically about their spending habits. Later, they can make good decisions about the hard-earned money that their parents regularly top-up in their pockets.

January 26, 2024January 26, 2024

Beyond Goal Setting: Nurturing Continued Success in Your Child’s Education

As Milchelians set their academic goals, the journey doesn’t end there; it’s just the beginning. We – parents, guardians, and coordinators – play a crucial role in the follow-up. This is to ensure that the energy gained from goal setting translates into on-going success.

The Importance of Follow-Up

After the initial excitement of goal setting, it’s important to maintain a constant and supportive role in Milchelians’ educational journey. Regular check-ins and discussions about progress create an environment where goals aren’t just set but are actively pursued.

Celebrating Achievements

Recognizing and celebrating small victories is key to maintaining motivation. Whether it’s improved grades, completion of a challenging project, or personal growth, acknowledging achievements promotes a positive mindset in children. This also reinforces the value of setting and attaining goals.

Adjusting Goals

As Milchelians progress, goals may need adjustment. We must encourage open communication about challenges and aspirations. Furthermore, we must be ready to listen to what our children say. More importantly, we must be willing to let our children adjust their goals to align with their interests and capabilities. This flexibility ensures that goal setting remains a dynamic and meaningful process.

Identifying Challenges

Regular follow-up allows us, guiding adults, to identify any challenges Milchelian learners may be facing. Whether it’s difficulties with specific subjects, time management issues, or personal struggles, addressing challenges promptly ensures timely support and intervention.

Encouraging Reflection

Engaging Milchelians in reflective talks about their goals is also crucial. Encouraging them to assess what worked well and what could be improved is a helpful strategy. Moreover, guiding our children and teens how they can apply these insights to future goals is key. This reflective process instils a habit of self-awareness and continuous improvement.

The Consequences of Neglecting Follow-Up

While goal setting is a powerful tool, neglecting follow-up can lessen its impact. Without on-going support and encouragement, goals may lose their significance, and Milchelians’ initial energy may decline. This could result in a lack of motivation, direction, and a missed opportunity for continuous growth.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Journey of Success

In conclusion, goal setting is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey. By actively following up, parents, guardians, and coordinators contribute to the development of skills such as awareness, perseverance, adaptability, and self-reflection. This on-going support ensures that the benefits of goal setting extend beyond the initial stage. By doing so, we are guiding Milchelians towards a lifelong journey of academic success and personal growth.

December 30, 2023December 30, 2023

Tips for Parents on Supporting Children in the Digital Era

In our previous article, we talked about the importance of educating children about responsible and ethical online behaviour. In the current one, we will talk about how parents can support their children in this vastly digital era.

As parents navigate the challenges of raising children in the digital era, there are several strategies they can employ to support their children in developing responsible online behaviour.

Strategies in developing responsible online behaviour

First and foremost, teach your kids about cybersecurity. Instruct your kids on the value of having strong, one-of-a-kind passwords and the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. Establish the practice of changing passwords on a regular basis and spotting phishing attempts.

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Second, parents should lead by example at all times. Children learn up knowledge from seeing their parents. Act responsibly when using technology by keeping yourself clean online, being considerate of others’ privacy, and using it mindfully.

Maintaining open communication channels is another useful strategy. It’s essential to have open channels of communication with your kids. Urge them to open up about their experiences—both good and bad—on the internet without worrying about being judged. By doing this, you can build their trust and effectively lead them.

ethnic mother sitting at table and watching paintings of little kids — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Additionally, establish boundaries for internet usage. Provide explicit rules about acceptable websites, screen time, and sharing personal information. Setting clear limits enables kids to learn the value of moderation and responsible use of technology.

Lastly, parents need to be informed at all times. The digital world is ever-changing, with new platforms and trends appearing all the time. To effectively guide your children, stay up to date on the most recent advancements in technology, social media, and online safety.

Of course, above is not an exhaustive list. It is just a set of simple steps that you can take to help your child. Continuous and consistent guidance to your children strongly anchored on the family’s shared values will be crucial in raising responsible digital citizens out of them. Ultimately, responsible and ethical online behaviour that they will learn from us will benefit them throughout their lives.

December 9, 2023December 9, 2023

Educating Children About Responsible and Ethical Online Behaviour

Children are growing up surrounded by technology. In the quickly changing digital age, they incorporate the virtual world into their everyday lives. As they navigate the world of the internet, parents now have a crucial job. Parents should work on establishing in children a foundation of responsible and ethical online behaviour. Moreover, they should aim to cultivate online behaviours that prioritise empathy, respect, and critical thinking. This is on top of imparting them with basic technological abilities.

Teaching children about responsible online behaviour is crucial for several reasons.

First of all, it gives children the means to defend against internet dangers. This includes misinformation, scams, and cyberbullying. It is crucial to educate kids to be critical online content consumers when knowledge and unwanted behaviours are plenty online.

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Children must be aware of the repercussions of sharing personal information online. This is so that they can make informed judgments about their online presence. Critical thinking skills are just as important as those taught in regular classrooms. They allow one to separate facts from false information and assess material critically. Children can also identify trustworthy and questionable sources through critical thinking. We protect kids from the dangers of false information through digital literacy.

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Furthermore, fostering a culture of compassion and inclusivity combats online negativity by promoting ethical principles. Nowadays, hate spreads so easily behind the computer screens. Raising a generation of kind and compassionate digital citizens is crucial to building a society that values truthfulness and responsible online and offline.

cute little ethnic girl embracing working mother — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

It is crucial to encourage ethical online behaviour in today’s connected world, even beyond matters of personal well-being. It helps to build a worldwide online community in which people value one another’s rights, privacy, and viewpoints. Teaching kids about responsible online behaviour is an investment. Truly, good digital citizenship is the key to building a safer and more morally-responsible digital environment.