I’ve tried hard to be involved in my children’s lives but my busy schedules have proven otherwise, kindly help!

Becky

Time is the only asset life has equally abreast for each of us — 24 hours daily.

However, our consumption and alignment of the day’s activities is an individual choice.

With the ongoing fast movement of the world, technology grows day-by-day and people get busier, there’s hardly no time to spare. And families have not been spared.

Here is a simple five-step remedy practice:

Draw a home time table. A home, just like any other institution, should have designed activities for specific time. A time for meals, domestic work, talk time and time to pray if you believe in God.

Involvement. Get involved with your children in home activities like; running errands, and cooking. Help your children do their school assignments, attend school co-curricular activities like sports events, science fares and drama shows, this does not only show moral support, it also creates strong relationship between parents and children

Divide labour. We all know how effective two or more heads are; parents are therefore encouraged to divide labour in their homes. If you gave money to your child and asked him to clear a few house bills respectively, he/she would feel valued and more so, it’s an experience of responsibility.

Effective communication. Just like any other, a parent-child relationship is built on communication. Talk to your child about your own experiences whether good or bad. This way, the parent builds a platform of trust for the child to talk about his/her own challenges and expectations especially that they face many as they grow up.

Talk to your children regularly on the phone and other social media networks (when held up at work). Remember you are dealing with young adults, I would rather you agree on issues discussed other than impose, communicate effectively.

The above is a simple checklist for parents.It is always important that we find out if we are doing the latter to maintain the most valuable relationship we have with our children.

Time will never be enough in our world today, we just have to create time for what we cannot compromise on, "child-parent relationship.”

Answered by Sandra Mutoni

If you have any question, please send it to education@newtimes.co.rw