Dr LeCrone
05-21-2006, 09:07 PM
When parents work all day and return home to the family and home responsibilities, certain needs and requirements have to be fulfilled if harmony and emotional stability are to be established.
Last week I talked about the point of view of the child. This week I will alert parents to ways they can achieve the status of an organized family.
• Much stress that arises in families when parents work outside the home can be attributed to disorganization.
Getting the day started right requires planning the night before so clothes and materials for school are put in accessible spots for the child.
Alarm clocks should be set early enough to allow the family to prepare for work and school without being under a lot of time pressure. A bedtime should be set for each member of the family to allow the proper amount of sleep to meet the challenges of the next day.
Research has shown that the first five minutes of the morning can set the tone for the day. If, during this time, communication is kept on a positive note instead of bickering, quarreling and shouting, then the proper mindset is in motion for the day ahead.
• The same can be said of the evening hours. Parents must limit after-work activities to spend time with the family. Too many outside commitments, frequently caused by an inability to say no, can mean little opportunity for communication and interaction between parent and child.
• Time also should be set aside for planning and having family vacations and weekends together. Parents should minimize outside interferences for this important time of renewal and togetherness.
Adults often recall memories of recreation and leisure time with parents and treasure those times far more than material legacies.
• During the time the working parent must be away from home, plans need to be made for security. Children who must be home alone after school should be given clear instructions on how to handle emergencies, phone calls, visitors at the door and having friends over.
When possible, parents should call home and check with their children as frequently as necessary to increase feelings of security.
• Between the time when a child gets home from school and the parent returns, some chores can make the child feel like a helpful contributing member of the family. This also can help the parent return to a home environment where some preparations are already in progress for a peaceful evening ahead.
Letting children know that we love them and they are the most important entities in our lives is the cornerstone for enabling the working parent or parents to have healthy relationships within the family.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1986
Last week I talked about the point of view of the child. This week I will alert parents to ways they can achieve the status of an organized family.
• Much stress that arises in families when parents work outside the home can be attributed to disorganization.
Getting the day started right requires planning the night before so clothes and materials for school are put in accessible spots for the child.
Alarm clocks should be set early enough to allow the family to prepare for work and school without being under a lot of time pressure. A bedtime should be set for each member of the family to allow the proper amount of sleep to meet the challenges of the next day.
Research has shown that the first five minutes of the morning can set the tone for the day. If, during this time, communication is kept on a positive note instead of bickering, quarreling and shouting, then the proper mindset is in motion for the day ahead.
• The same can be said of the evening hours. Parents must limit after-work activities to spend time with the family. Too many outside commitments, frequently caused by an inability to say no, can mean little opportunity for communication and interaction between parent and child.
• Time also should be set aside for planning and having family vacations and weekends together. Parents should minimize outside interferences for this important time of renewal and togetherness.
Adults often recall memories of recreation and leisure time with parents and treasure those times far more than material legacies.
• During the time the working parent must be away from home, plans need to be made for security. Children who must be home alone after school should be given clear instructions on how to handle emergencies, phone calls, visitors at the door and having friends over.
When possible, parents should call home and check with their children as frequently as necessary to increase feelings of security.
• Between the time when a child gets home from school and the parent returns, some chores can make the child feel like a helpful contributing member of the family. This also can help the parent return to a home environment where some preparations are already in progress for a peaceful evening ahead.
Letting children know that we love them and they are the most important entities in our lives is the cornerstone for enabling the working parent or parents to have healthy relationships within the family.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1986