With very busy lives, parents often think about spending time with their children rather than incorporating the extended family into leisure time too. However, extended families have tremendous impact on children’s well-being.
In an online article for the American College of Pediatricians, the many positive benefits of the extended family on children are extolled. Here a few:
1. Children learn life stories and lessons from older family members.
2. Parents and children have extra support when the time comes, because the time will indeed come.
3. Exposing children to different beliefs and ideas from others will help them expand their understanding and knowledge and not just rely on their parents.
4. Family health history is known and shared.
The article ends with this statement which I believe is so important:
When kids can go with members of their extended family and be loved and cherished, and then come home to more people who love them, they are more connected to the love and goodness in humanity and better able to live positive and productive lives.
So this weekend, set out some extra chairs for members of the extended family and have them to your home for special times. Your children will grow to love and appreciate these times.
To read the entire article, click here.