As a mother, I encouraged my 10-year-old to enjoy exercise by making it fun and part of our daily routine. We started with simple activities like family walks, bike rides, or dance sessions at home. I found that involving them in choosing the activity made them more excited to participate. Over time, it became a habit, and they now look forward to staying active.
As a parent, I’ve seen my child struggle with controlling their impulses, especially during playtime when they’d grab toys without asking or get frustrated easily. One day, after they snatched a toy from a friend, I sat them down and calmly explained how their actions could make others feel. I taught them to take a deep breath and use words like, “Can I have a turn, please?” instead of reacting impulsively. It wasn’t easy at first, but with patience and consistent reminders, they started pausing before acting and even apologising when needed. Seeing them resolve conflicts calmly now feels like a proud parenting win!
As a parent of two, one of my children was extremely shy. We found that arranging small, one-on-one playdates with kids they felt comfortable with really helped. Over time, these small interactions gave them the confidence to engage in larger group settings.
