Learning something new and fun together with our children can teach them great life lessons, without them realising, while also embedding wonderful memories.

However, when we are talking about this awesome bonding experience, often the following question comes up: „What happens if my child will be better than me?”, „Won’t I lose authority and never get it back ever again?”. The answer is no because allowing your kids to see your imperfections might be more beneficial to the relationship between you, and to their emotional development than one thinks.

Parents are the role models for their children in many aspects, therefore it is essential to spend a lot of time with them in different ways and situations, like in doing free-time activities, housework, sport, and learning as well, even if we are likewise in the process of acquirement. By stepping out of our comfort zone, and by showing them that there are things that we need to learn as well, will help them to embrace a positive attitude towards learning and to accept that it is wonderful to be a beginner at something, instead of being ashamed about it. This way, they are taught that no one is born as a professional, and not everything is about natural abilities, whereas Hardworking is at least as important, if not more.

While we are learning something new together with our young ones, we also model the act of learning because it is known that children pay more attention to what they see than what they are told to do. As a result of parents demonstrating ways to handle the fails (because it is a normal component of the learning procedure), and also how to celebrate the achievements well, children will enjoy the activity even more, and have higher motivation; thus, they will have fewer difficulties later in their further studies when they are older. Although it may be intimidating for many of us to expose ourselves by revealing our vulnerable side, it also allows our children to get to know us better, and accept the fact, that we have our own weaknesses too.

This can develop empathy in children, allowing them to understand that someone’s worth doesn’t depend on what they know but on their approach towards certain things. Letting go of the need to control and building emotional intimacy is the key to build a strong relationship; what we can create only by being vulnerable. Vulnerability also represents authenticity, because in this way we can teach them how to interact with those closest to them, to be real and authentic with others in their relationships since we are the ones they build their first connection with.

Knowing that flaws are not something that we should hide from our trusted family and friends, will encourage them to be more honest and completely themselves. These are only a few reasons amongst many others, why we should spend time with our children also while they are learning something, which will hopefully inspire us to be more present at these times too.

Written By

Fruzsina Szente-Varga (WFM) Girl Boss Chess Educator