Make-believe is fun. Join in the adventure!
Embrace your child’s make-believe friends. After all, you also had your make-believe friends when you were his or her age. Join in the adventures your child creates. It is okay to be a kid and “play along” with their world. Don’t just tell them to go play—engage in the game with them. Join them in […]
Use bedtime to probe into your child’s mind.
When it is time for bed, try lying down next to your child, holding their hand, and asking them about their day. Listen to what is on their mind. Probe to bring out the good things they have experienced. Listen for what is bothering them or causing them fear. Give your child at least five […]
Pause, hold a hand—and pray.
After the lights are out and the conversation is over, don’t leave your child for a few minutes. Keep holding your child’s hand. Allow them to fall asleep knowing you are there as their parent and protector. You really don’t have something more important to do. As a parent, your first priority is to ensure […]
Finish each day in the dark!
The Andy Ant adventure stories were started in my young daughter’s dark bedroom when she was about ready to go to sleep. How can you use this time to instill values, teach lessons of life, reinforce right behavior, or just have a fun bonding experience that ends up lasting a lifetime? You might think that […]
Tell your child stories with an applied lesson.
Reading stories to your child is wonderful and encouraging, but making up stories that relate to your child’s life is even better. To help you do this, each of story in Andy’s Adventures provides you the setting and content for a new story adventure followed by a few questions that allow you and your child […]