- Let your child choose their art/instrument/and/or sport and encourage them to keep it up (but don't be forceful). If you can, learn it with them or teach them if you already know. Inspire them by playing music or making art yourself, going on family jogs and hikes, etc.
- Read together, both fiction and nonfiction. Let them choose a bedtime story.
- Invest in giving them Lego to play with. It will increase creativity, special sense, and believe it or not, social skills. (Include a few of the extras like characters and animals). Build with them and make an album of your creations
- Teach then to be ambidextrous
- Teach your child to clean up after themselves. They'll thank you later.
- Teach your child to empathize, wanting others to be happy but sticking to what's right. In the end that's what makes everyone happy, including and especially Jehovah.
- Never put down having an imaginary friend, but encourage them to bring that friend with them when meeting others.
- Make up stories together, and write them down.
- Organize memories into simple albums/scrapbooks/folders (Have digital and hard copy). Show that experiences are more important than things.
- Never stop saying "I love you"
- Also have a sponsored child they can be pen pals with.
- Encourage them to try something like a lemonade stand. (Give them the option to do it to earn a WWF animal, perhaps)
- Make them a Neopets account to teach money and time management
- Never name-call.
- Adopt a cat or dog
- Donate together (eg: be ready with granola bars in Toronto, change for charities, have a sponsored child)
- Go in service together.
- Never complain about Daddy, or compare them to him in a negative way. "You're just like your father" should never be said in a negative tone, only positive.
- Give them two or three options for things such as what to wear. Don't force them to wear something specific, let them express themselves, but don't make choosing overwhelming
- Cook together; keep it fun and light.
- Spontaneously show appreciation for eachother and others. "Let's bake cookies and write a card for the Ys today!"
- Don't vent to your children, ever. Keep them in the loop with important things that are happening if it is appropriate, but don't give them anxiety or make them feel responsible for things they are not.
- Don't even keep junk food in the house. Go out for a special treat once in a while.
- Let them choose their room colour and style, and help them learn to keep it simple and tidy.
- Let them get a part time job as a teenager.
- Encourage working with your hands and cerebral activities, by not discouraging either
- Have a doodle page on the wall/white board and take photos when they want to keep the piece of art
- Have a consistent Family Worship night, and include fun, creative study activities
- Still be yourself. Don't ever feel like you have to be your own mother or use a "motherly" tone just because that's what mothers do. Say things like you mean it (like with Luna). You're now hippie-mommy.
- Talk about day and night dreams together, and write them down
- Keep your own journal and sketchbook, and encourage them to do the same as they grow older
- Praise effort and working hard more than talent
- Make friendship bracelets for eachother and other jewellery together (if they want to)
- teach balanced use of technology example
- Teach please and thank you for the meaning, including regular things like cooking a meal, or working so hard
- Throw mini, lowkey congratulations for family members for little achievements, like a special dinner or bonfire
- Face paint
- Go on little day trips
- Paint/draw together
- Learn songs together
- Teach the names of plants and animals as we see them, and discuss their traits, ask questions, like Shannon the naturalist did for me.
- Explore the world atlas book
- Teach from a young age what it means to be a Christian and why. Encourage q&a discussion
- Be a good example as not only parents but a couple. (That means he needs to be a loving, respectable spiritual head, and I have to follow his lead). Remember: "A woman's heart should be so deep in Jehovah a man must go through him to find her."
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