Parenting Tips

It’s important to carve out quality time to spend with your kids each day. But there are some days when that’s easier said than done!

When my son was 5, he came home from a neighbor’s yard upset. “All the kids want to play soccer and I hate soccer!” He began to stomp up to his room. But then he paused on the stairs, and I could see he was thinking things through. He didn’t want to play soccer, but he did want to play with other kids. So what other options were there?

From taking their first steps to learning how to read, children gain self-confidence as they master new skills. This gives them the courage to continue to explore and expand their abilities. Seven-year-olds can set goals and make a plan for mastering new academic and physical skills – from math facts to soccer kicks. As you encourage their interests and independence, you may also need to help them talk through their frustrations and fears. They may be discouraged when a new skill doesn’t come easily to them or when a classmate or sibling seems "better than me" at a task.