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Local therapist suggests Pokemon Go brings families together

By: Donna Wick
| Published 08/10/2016

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas – The last few weeks have been awash with stories about Pokémon Go. This new app has children, everywhere running around the neighborhood. In fact, everyone, young and old, seems to be out chasing Pikachu and Squirtle and collecting Pokeballs in their spare time.

“Pokémon Go offers a starting point for parents and kids to connect,” said Anne Causey, a licensed professional therapist in the Houston Metro Area. “And connections form the foundation of happy families. Playing together is definitely an important part of family health.”

In her practice, Causey counsels families to engage in activities that involve everyone. “Research shows that children don’t need hundreds of toys. What they really want and need is to feel close and significant to their family. That is the real power of parenthood,” she said. “Playing together helps to build and develop deeper emotional connections between family members.”

Here are 10 simple ways to build a connection with your family everyday:

1. Hug – Something as simple as giving and receiving hugs is an incredible way to bond, but it also boosts your physical and mental health. “Touch is missing from our culture and makes us feel isolated,” said Causey. Hugging, holding hands, even a simple high-five can help you connect with each other and feel happier.

2. Laugh – The normal challenges of every day for a growing child of any age creates all kinds of feelings. Children release these emotions through play. Laughter, specifically, transforms our body chemistry by reducing stress hormones and increasing bonding hormones.

3. Play – Don’t be afraid to be a kid with them. Some parents find it can be energizing. The tension and irritation that we carry around makes us tired. When we play, we discharge stress hormones just like our kids, giving us a boost of energy. Whether it’s playing board games on Family Game Night, hunting Pokémon at the park, or pretending to be dinosaurs, play is important.

4. Be present – Eye contact creates connection. Put down the phone, stop thinking about all the things that you need to do and just be with your children. Look into their eyes when you speak with them. Listen to them and enjoy the moment.

5. Read with them – Read to them every day if possible. It is great quality time, and one of the best things you can do to help them in life. Studies show that the more you read to your children, the better readers they will be later in life.

6. Cook with them – You can teach them essential life skills and get them to try new foods or learn about different cultures. You could also set specific nights that the kids cook. Set up a restaurant atmosphere in your home and create some lifetime memories. Don’t underestimate the power of family mealtimes.

7. Talk (and listen) to them – Instead of asking your children what they did, ask them how they felt when they did it. Use dinner time to share the highs and lows of the day. When tucking them into bed, ask them what three things that they are grateful for. Take the time to attentively listen and respond to their feelings and problems now so that the door to communication will remain open.

8. Encourage and accept them – Give your child validation that you see things in them that are great and encourage them. Include praising them for who they are (kind, helpful, smart) rather just commenting on whether or not they succeeded at something.

9. Experience nature – Get out in the world with them and experience nature together. Whether you take a walk, go hiking, play at the park, build a treehouse or grow a garden together, connecting with nature can transform your life by combating stress and depression and helping you to slow down.

10. Listen to music – Music is powerful and also a great way to connect. Sing to them before bed, take them to a concert, learn an instrument together, sing in the car, dance in the kitchen, or show them how to make music from everyday objects.

Whether you are chasing Pikachu at the park in the Pokémon Go craze, sitting down to a board game or going for a walk, make the time to build deep emotional connections with your family, it is worth the investment.

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