31 Everyday Ways to Connect with Your Child, Day 19: Ask Their Advice

I remember being a kid and wishing I could be heard.  It’s hard to be full of ideas and think you might have wisdom in an area but no one takes you seriously.  I want my children to know that even though they don’t make huge, family decisions, I respect their ideas and want to know what they think.

So I look for opportunities to ask their advice.

If I am working on a project. like painting a room, I’ll say, “What color do you think we should paint?” or, “When do you think would be a good time to paint the living room?” I ask their advice on anything that I can.  If it’s just a matter of opinion or calculating, I want to know what they think.

My boys, especially, need to feel respected by Mom.  Sometimes I know their ideas aren’t the best, but as long as it doesn’t ruin anything, we do it anyway.  It helps them to learn by mistakes and I am always their cheerleader.  When it doesn’t work I’ll say, “I am still impressed with your idea!  How can we make it better?”

Some things you can ask kids’ advice about:

*what to have for dinner

*books to read

*games to play

*pictures to hang

*weekend activities

*ways to serve others

*what you can wear on your date with Daddy

*gift ideas

*vacation plans

*who to invite over for dinner

Can you think of ways to ask your children’s advice?

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