"Campfire Experience": --Parent tip #214

 It’s Fall in the south!! That means it’s time to gather around the campfires and create some great memories. If you struggle with getting your kids to affirm each other or you can’t seem to get your kids to talk about school, their thoughts or feelings…do yourself a favor…go clear a spot in your backyard, collect some big rocks and build a fire ring. Throw some logs in the ring, get a fire going and gather your family around the fire. 

 Lay out a few ground rules:

1. No laughing at anyone’s answer, unless they meant to get a laugh.
2. No interrupting.

Now...one of the parents starts off by sharing an embarrassing moment when they were a kid. Then the other parent shares their most embarrassing moment. Then begin asking questions and go around the circle giving everyone a turn. Here are some questions to get you started:

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

What was the last thing that made you cry?

What is one of your most embarrassing moments?

What to do you want to do when you grow up?

Tell us your favorite story?

What do you love of appreciate about your brother/sister? (This is so powerful as they take turns building up each other?

What are you afraid of?

Who’s one of your closest friends? Why? (We always avoid the term “best friend” at our house)

Who has been your favorite teacher?

Do you feel like Mom/Dad love you? How do you know Mom/Dad love you? (listen closely to this one…they will tell you how to keep their love tank filled up!)

Where would you like to go on vacation?

If you could be an animal, which one would you like to be?

At the end of the time…hold hands and pray or create a cheer, or make up a family pledge.

 When you run out of questions on your own, Get a “Book of Questions”. Occasionally read a book, good books, books that teach. Here’s a few to get you started: “The Traveler’s Gift for kids” by Andy Andrews. “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis. “Roll of Thunder” by Mildred D. Taylor. “Sir Gibbie” by George MacDonald. “A Blue Chair Christmas” by Uncle Poppy. “The Book of Virtues” by William J. Bennett. Read biographies written for kids. 

If you do this once a month, or once a week you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in you and your kids relationship.