In this car ride conversation series, I have listed some questions for you to dialogue with your kids. I have added a “why” at the end of each question, for it allows you to peek through their window of mind to have a deeper understanding of their world. Living in a fast-pace era, often times our everyday conversations stay on a superficial level surrounding the logistic side of the daily routines. You may be amazed how much deeper we can get to know our kids when we take the time to slow down, adding the “why” with the intention to truly listen.
Day 1: Take turn to share your favorite books, but add a few simple sentences describing why.
Day 2: Ask your kids which playground is their favorite and why? Have them recount a few items they like about the playground and a few memorable trips to that playground. Remember to share yours as well. Make it a two-way dialog.
Day 3: What is your favorite time of the day and why?
When I asked my son this question, turns out that his answer and mine are the two opposite ends. I like the moment when the sky is till dark right before the sunrise for that brings a sense of hope. He likes the sunset moment when the sky turns dark because that gives him the anticipation of getting into the warm blanket at night.
Day 4: What is the best gift you have ever received? Why was it so special?
Day 5: If you could give one gift to every single child in the world, what gift would you give? Why do you pick that? When I asked my family this question, we each have a different choice. The choice actually allows us to understand the priority of each person. Here is each of our top picks. Have fun figuring out yours.
- “Imagination”: if you can imagine it, you maybe able to actualize it
- “Education”: it is useful and can lead to a better future
- “Love”: so kids can learn to be kind to others
- “Bible”: so kids can know the real God
Day 6: If you see a toy you really like from your friend, and when he or she is not aware, you take it without him or her noticing. What do call action as such? Why is it wrong?
** Most kids know stealing is wrong, but may not be able to articulate the why behind it. Try to get them share as much as their maturity allows. Parents also try to think of the reasons on your own too. You will be amazed how often we take this common rule for granted without really think it through the why behind it.**
Day 7: I am posting here an excerpt from Josh McDowell's Family Devotion. It is this entry that propelled me to start thinking about the daily “Car Ride Conversation” series. This devotion entry makes me realize that there are some common rules or expectations in our daily lives that we have taken them for granted without really thinking through the reasoning behind. And we may have only told our kids what to expect without taking the time to discuss with them the essence behind it. (In other words, we may have taught them what to do without teaching them how to think.) If they follow certain behaviors only because it is commonly expected, the behaviors may be grounded on cultural norms rather than the unchanging truths. As McDowell connects the expectations to God's attributes, it reminds me that we need to first teach our kids who God is and their decisions will flow out of the reverence of worshiping God as the King of their heart.
Read the devotion entry with your child. This concludes "The Why" series. We will start a "emotion series" next week. Stay tune!
