Talking about being a parent or carer
As parents we are chatting about our family life pretty much all the time – who’s who, who does what, how important we are to each other. Talking with children this age about what it is like to be a parent or carer is one of those topics that helps build understanding and bonds in the family now, but also sets some foundations for them even though any prospect of being a parent or carer themselves is far away.
Talking about you as your child’s parent or carer
Your child might like to hear about how you see your role as their parent/carer. Have you thought about how you would describe what you do? And how that has changed over time? These suggestions might get a chat going.
A parent or carer is an adult in your life who looks after you and cares for you. Parents (carers) are really important in a child’s life. What kinds of day-to-day and important things do you think I do as your parent (carer)?
When you were just a baby I would….
And as you grew up, I did my best to…
And now you are nearly a teenager what I try to do is… How do you think I’m doing?
Imagining parenthood
Your child might like to talk about themselves, imagining being grown up, with a family of their own. These suggestions could help with that kind of chat.
I know you are only 11/12 but do you ever imagine that one day you would like to have children? What kind of mum/dad do you think you would be? What do you think might be hard about being a mum/dad? What would be the best bits?
Books
You might like to read these books together. Your school or library might have them, or you can ask the library if they will order a book for you.
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher
Dana Alison Levi
ISBN 0385376553
Four brothers, two dads, and various pets make up the realistic, loving, and sometimes hectic family Fletcher.