More Daily Encouragement for the Smart StepFamilyНамуна

Event Etiquette

Does your child live in two different homes? If so, you might want to consider following some guidelines for event etiquette when attending their activities. We know that kids love it when their parents attend their recitals, concerts, sporting events, and school productions. But their enthusiasm dissolves if co-parents make it stressful. To make any event affirming for your child, be sure to mind your etiquette:

• Sit where you feel comfortable and be respectful to the other parent as you walk in and out.
• After the event, let your  child hug or talk to each parent no matter who currently has visitation privileges. 
• To keep the event safe for everyone, don’t discuss parenting matters at the event. That turns a recital into a business conversation and takes the focus off your child.      You can talk about that later. Let this moment simply be about celebrating your child. 

Father, during our children’s activities and events, remind us to drop our personal agenda and focus on making good memories that build up and encourage our kids.

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© 2018 by FamilyLife. Excerpted with permission from Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily by Ron L. Deal with Dianne Neal Matthews, Bethany House Publishers. Get more daily encouragement with this 365-day devotional that will keep your family blending and bonding throughout the year.