that for one hour a week they take a walk in nature by themselves. We
can ask that for one hour a week they turn off all their gadgets and talk to
us. We can ask that for one hour a week they write in their journal. We
can also ask that for one hour a week they paint or engage in some other
form of art in silence.
Our children deserve the privilege of knowing their inner landscape.
They can only achieve this by being allowed to connect with their
essence, which a parent can foster—for ultimately it’s the quality of our
connection with our children that allows them to enjoy a sense of
relatedness to themselves and their world.CREATE A MEANINGFUL NARRATIVE FOR YOUR
CHILD
All of us seek to live lives that are coherent and meaningful. We want our
experiences to make sense. Our children especially count on us to help
them make sense of their reality. Our task is to teach them how to extract
meaning and purpose from life.
One of the ways in which we can infuse our children’s days with
meaning is through the creation of a narrative of their experiences. A
subtle yet powerful way in which we can help develop a narrative in our
children’s lives is by spending time with them, since our presence brings
continuity. When we are present for not only their big moments but also
their small ones, we accompany them on their adventure. Our emotional
connection and presence gives them a sense of coherence, order, and
organization.
We also engage in narrative-making when we remind our children,