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Raising children? Have to deal with someone else's? Considering a family?Let's talk kids!Claudia Quigg hosts this weekly reflection on best practices, experiences, and research related to child rearing and parenting. Thursdays at 12:50 PM and 7:50 PM

Let's Talk Kids - "Talk About Rhythm"

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NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Even though family schedules are busier than ever, parents and children still manage to spend time together.  The challenge lies in making those minutes productive and purposeful

Case in point:  time spent in the family roadster. First up is morning drive time.  It’s a great chance to look forward to the day, reminding kids of friends they’ll see and activities they’ll enjoy.  We can also use this time to offer encouragement for challenges, like a dreaded exam or a tough social situation.

After school or evening drive time is a natural debriefing time where kids can process whatever happened in the day with someone who listens with a sympathetic ear.  They can share a laugh with us in those immediate hours after an experience that might be lost forever if we don’t catch it soon after its occurrence.

Dinner time offers a rich repast for conversation if we’re lucky enough to enjoy a meal together.  It’s an arena for spreading out our whole family’s experience so that all members can bear witness to each other’s lives and agree that what happens to them really matters.  It’s a time for kids to feel connected to a system of support and to try out new ideas with a friendly audience who will give them a chance to explore what they really think.

Bed time, of course, offers an occasion to help kids tie up the loose ends of the day. Parents can assist in framing how we want our children to remember the day’s successes and defeats.  We have the chance to send kids off to sleep with peace, helping them realize that today’s losses don't have to define tomorrow.

None of these conversations need be lengthy or seem scripted.  Instead it comes down to using the naturally occurring times in our lives with our kids to meet them where they are with the kinds of support, strategy and encouragement that make sense.

If we think of our time with our kids as a precious commodity, we can use it in a way that may transform a quick minute into a Moment to Remember.

Claudia Quigg is the Executive Director of Baby TALK and writes the Let's Talk Kids parenting segment and column that honor the expertise parents have about their own children and explores issues that are universal for families. From toilet training and sibling rivalry to establishing family values, Claudia Quigg provides thoughtful and accessible insights that are meaningful to families' needs.
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