How To Navigate And Nurture Your Child’s Interest
Navigating your growing child’s interests may be a challenge at first, but these tips will help you foster an inviting environment for their hobbies
A mother and daughter sitting on sofa at home talking
If there’s one thing mothers around the world can agree on, it is that motherhood is hard. It changes you physically and mentally and challenges you in ways you never knew existed. Your body changes, you’re at risk for postpartum depression and suddenly self-care seems like a foreign concept. Especially when you’re dealing with the ever-evolving interests of children and teens.
Gemma Hartley, in Fed Up, describes emotional labor as “all the invisible work that keeps a household running.” Between juggling soccer practice, making doctor’s appointments and deciding what to make for dinner, motherhood is overwhelming at times.
For Tawana Jackson, 47, mom of four, nurturing and navigating her teenagers’ newfound interests involve taking it one day at time. From after school jobs to college applications, “I stay as organized as possible,” she explained. “With four kids, there’s always something going on, so I rely on a good calendar, carpooling when I can, and making sure my teen understands the importance of balance. Some days are hectic, but we make it work.”
For Keisha Green, boy mom and registered nurse, it’s about simply “listening, advocating and living in the moment.”
So how do you identify your children’s interests? “Overall, we want to have kids involved in things that make them happy to be around others and able to make friends,” Bridgette Yee McIntyre, director of the Student Support Unit at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth told Medium. “When they are wanting to go above and beyond simply because they love the subject and are finding joy in it for the sake of the activity, that’s when it’s a good match.”
Playing close attention to the activities that bring your child joy are important and essential to helping them navigate what activities to give your attention. Especially when it comes to actives that require funds. Making room for trial and error is essential to helping them weed out which things they like or do not like so encourage them to be independent by trying various hobbies.
As mentioned by Greene, “listening” to your child is essential when facilitating their interests. Celebrating their achievements not only builds character, but also builds their self-esteem. And if they decided they do not like an activity, it’s important to respect their boundaries and limits.
Helping nurture your child’s interests is also a method for bonding. Communicating with your little ones fosters a comfortable environment, which encourages them to pursue their hobbies without fear. Asking open-ended questions is a great way to pick your child’s brain and learn more about them as an individual. Allowing your child to explore their independence will automatically lead them to trying new things and meeting new people, all of which broadens their experience.
Navigating your child’s interests may be challenging at first, but approaching it with an open mind and heart, will lead to understanding and stronger connection.
