Top Ten Reasons to Tell Your Kids Your Stories

Written by: Mark Brandenburg
Web Site:   Dynamic Vision

In today�s busy world, many parents have lost the
art of telling their stories to their kids. Here
are some reasons why these stories are so
beneficial:

1. Use them to teach lessons about life.

Stories will stimulate conversations with your
kids more easily than lecturing can. There are a
lot of issues happening for kids these days,
stories give them a chance to reflect on them.

2. Stories connect your kids with previous
generations.

In a society that seems to have families spread
out all over, it's vitally important to have ways
to have your kids feel connected to their extended
families.

3. Stories stimulate your kids� imagination.

One of the best ways to prepare your kids for the
world is to engage them in vivid stories that stir
their imagination. Kids who are exposed to these
kinds of stories will be the creative
problem-solvers of the future.

4. Kids who are exposed to stories will continue
the tradition with their own families.

Knowing that your family traditions and stories
will be carried on by future generations is very
comforting.

5. Stories can encourage your kids when they're
discouraged

Childhood can get pretty discouraging sometimes.
Kids are encouraged by knowing that Mom or Dad
have gone through the same kinds of things and
have survived.

6. Telling your stories has you remembering your
own childhood.

Telling your kids about your childhood is a great
way for you to remember and reflect on what was
important about your younger years.

7. Telling stories helps to create depth and soul
in your kids.

In a TV and media-crazy culture, telling stories
can capture your kids� attention and convey real
meaning.

8. Telling stories to your kids tells them they're
worth the time.

Is there anything more important than conveying to
your kids that you want to spend intimate time
with them?

9. Telling stories is a great chance to convey your values.

Your kids will be getting quite a few messages
from their friends and from popular culture.
Stories are a great opportunity to sneak in a few
of your cherished values for your kids to hear.

10. Well-crafted stories create a wonderful
mind-set for your kids before they fall asleep.

Kids will fall asleep faster and with healthier
images when you tell them your stories.

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, is the author of �25
Secrets of Emotionally Intelligent Fathers�
http://www.markbrandenburg.com/e_book.htm#secrets .
For more great tips and action steps for fathers,
sign up for his FREE bi-weekly newsletter, �Dads,
Don�t Fix Your Kids,� at http://www.markbrandenburg.com
E-mail: mailto:mark@markbrandenburg.com