Alright, so you've had one of those exhausting days, and you finally make it home. Both you and your kid are wiped out - they head straight for their PlayStation, and you've got more work staring you down. But hold up a sec! Though they’re heading straight for their console, they might also be craving some quality time with you. If you’re not sure, just ask them if they’d like to spend some time!
Some kids might not initiate interaction, but they may want to grab some ice cream, have you join in on the PlayStation action or just chat with you over dinner. So, take a breather from work, ask them about their day, share a meal together, and heck, why not dive into some gaming with them? These small moments might just be the highlight of your day!
At times it feels like there's not much to chat about. But in our experience, all it takes is a few simple questions to spark a meaningful conversation. In this blog, we've put together a handful of simple questions that can really brighten your child's day and uplift their spirits. These questions are perfect for a casual chat that can lead to some great conversations. So, why not give them a try?
These questions were shared by Alyssa, a sophomore student who attends our personalized tutoring sessions, and her mom. Alyssa enjoys it when her online Math tutor chats with her about her day before starting her lesson—it makes her feel comfortable and heard. When her mom heard this from the math tutor (during one of their regular online feedback sessions), she decided to incorporate these conversations into their day-to-day life as well!
Parents are meant to be there for their kid, to get us and what they’re going through. Like when parents ask, "How was your day?" It's not just some routine thing. It's them wanting to know all the little details, like the funny thing that happened in Math class or how annoying it was when the lunch line took forever.
And when they ask, "Are you okay?" it's not just about asking for the sake of it. They genuinely care about how we're feeling, whether we're stressed about a test or upset because of a friend. You have a built-in support system right at home!
And then there's the question, "Do you want to go out for dinner?" It's like they're saying, "Hey, let's hang out together and enjoy some good food”. It's those little moments of connection that make all the difference, according to Alyssa, who also loves baking with her mom.
And those other questions they ask, like "What are you most looking forward to right now?" or "Did anything in school today make you go, 'Hmm, that's interesting'?" They're showing that they're genuinely interested in our lives and what makes us tick. And don't even get me started on the gossip question—it's like they're trying to be our cool, understanding friends too.
So while parents and children (especially teens!) can get into tiffs that make each other feel like enemies, they're actually allies, confidants, and their kid’s biggest supporters. When they ask these questions, it's like they're reminding us of that in the best way possible. These simple gestures go a long way in building a healthy and strong relationship.
While chatting with kids, don’t overlook asking them about their academics. As a parent, it’s hard to shoulder full academic responsibility, especially as your kids grow older—that's one of the reasons why Alyssa’s mom considered online tutoring sessions. She observed the great rapport Alyssa has with her online Math tutor, as well as the increase in confidence and grades in school! She and her husband realized they didn’t have to look after their daughter’s K12 journey on her own—they could get a private tutor for online course help, to guide Alyssa and keep them in the loop along the way!
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