Your Child’s Compass: Parents as Social Resources
Any voyageur knows the most important tool to take on a journey is a compass. It’s a guide when you know where you’re going. It’s also a guide when you don’t.
As children journey through life, they must step into unfamiliar territory. Sometimes they’ll try paths we’d rather not have them take while ignoring others that we think they should follow. No matter where they go, we as parents are their moral compasses. As compasses, we don’t tell them which path to take (even though it’s tempting at times), but we serve as a resource―a guide. We can help, suggest, question, encourage. We can also point out other useful guides when our children wish to take a path we are not equipped to navigate. Whichever paths our children take, we should never abandon them. For, once our children know we’ll always journey with them, it won’t be long before they see the value that parents―as compasses―can be. We need to be strong and weak, proud and humble, stable and flexible.
Questions to ask yourself:
Questions to discuss with your child:
Three ways to be a better social resource for your child:
1. Invite your child’s best friend on a family weekend getaway. Play games and do activities together.
2. Learn a new hobby or skill with your child.
3. Ask about something your child would like to learn. Take a class together about the subject.
Any voyageur knows the most important tool to take on a journey is a compass. It’s a guide when you know where you’re going. It’s also a guide when you don’t.
As children journey through life, they must step into unfamiliar territory. Sometimes they’ll try paths we’d rather not have them take while ignoring others that we think they should follow. No matter where they go, we as parents are their moral compasses. As compasses, we don’t tell them which path to take (even though it’s tempting at times), but we serve as a resource―a guide. We can help, suggest, question, encourage. We can also point out other useful guides when our children wish to take a path we are not equipped to navigate. Whichever paths our children take, we should never abandon them. For, once our children know we’ll always journey with them, it won’t be long before they see the value that parents―as compasses―can be. We need to be strong and weak, proud and humble, stable and flexible.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How often does your child come to you for support or advice?
- Which kinds of information does your child typically seek from you?
- Which topics has your child never asked about?
Questions to discuss with your child:
- Is there a family member you feel comfortable with to have a serious conversation about an issue?
- Is there anything going on in the family or at school you would like to talk more about?
- How can we spend more enjoyable time together?
Three ways to be a better social resource for your child:
1. Invite your child’s best friend on a family weekend getaway. Play games and do activities together.
2. Learn a new hobby or skill with your child.
3. Ask about something your child would like to learn. Take a class together about the subject.