Active involvement is an important aspect of parenting, but many parents today face increasing challenges regarding work responsibility, financial obligations and other pressures that limit the time they spend with their families. However, learning and understanding a few basic concepts and tips may help increase your parental involvement. Quality time is not the same as quantity time spent with your kids, so make every minute count. At home or at school, increase your parental involvement for optimal relationship benefits.
Get Involved with School
As a parent, you can increase your involvement and awareness of your child's behavior, actions and goals by communicating regularly with your child's teacher. Make arrangements with your child's teacher to call and discuss concerns for a few minutes weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, depending on
your child's situation and needs.
Help your child with homework assignments, suggests Project Appleseed, an organization focusing on parental involvement at home and at school. Discuss his feelings about school, his classmates and his teachers to understand his daily environment and reaction to it.
According to the Michigan Department of Education, the earlier a parent becomes involved in their child's education, the more benefits are offered to the child. Such involvement includes spending time helping your child complete homework or school-related activities.
Participate
Limit the amount of unsupervised time allowed your child. Instead of allowing him to watch television for three hours between school and dinnertime, give your child specific assignments. If you're home, encourage your child to come into the kitchen to help you prepare dinner. Arrange specific times allowed for television watching and video games.
Take the time to play games, even video games with your child, and learn what interests him. This enables you to more closely supervise your child's free time and spend time with him. If you work, define time frames after work or school that are exclusively for you and him. Plan activities at home or away from home that allow bonding times with your child.
Communicate
Take the time to talk to your child and encourage her to discuss her fears, concerns or feelings with you. Communication is important in any relationship and allows you to form a close relationship with your child that encourages security and confidence. Communicate with your child's school or after-school care providers regularly, suggests Project Appleseed, either by phone, email or notes.
