Playtime
One of the undisputed joys of being a parent is coming home from a day at work and being met at the door by someone who just wants to play:
The Taming of the Shrew: IV, iii
Richard II: V, ii
Graciously accept the role given you in these play episodes . . .
Richard II: V, v
. . . and be prepared to go the extra mile:
Richard II: III, iii
Safety At Home
A good parent tries to see accidents before they happen. If that’s not one of your parental giftings, however . . .
[Enter Juliet somewhat fast]
Romeo and Juliet: II, vi
. . . try to see them at the earliest opportunity after:
Romeo and Juliet: II, iii
Monitoring Sweet Intake
Keep a close eye on what your child is eating between meals and take steps to ensure that they don’t ruin their appetite:
King Lear: III, vii
Table Manners
Try to instil a basic level of table etiquette, such as not starting until everyone has been served:
Antony and Cleopatra: II, ii
In The Car
Appealing to the better nature of children on long car journeys may prove a bootless task:
History has shown that the back of a hairbrush has often succeeded where words have failed:
Henry VI Part 1: IV, i
Respecting Danger
Children should be encouraged to develop a healthy respect for the potential dangers of everyday life:
The Merry Wives of Windsor: I, i
The Taming of the Shrew: IV, i
The fact that disobedience may result in serious physical harm is, however, something that your child may need to learn for himself:
King Lear: II, iv
Listening To Your Child
A child that has suffered an injustice at the hands of his contemporaries needs to be heard:
Macbeth: V, v
Take steps to discourage tale-telling, however, and don’t be too hasty to accept the version of events given:
Macbeth: V, v
Hobbies and Interests
Take an active involvement in your child’s hobbies and interests, recognising that there may be some personal costs attached to this:
The Tempest: IV, i
Musicianship
A child with a gift for music should be encouraged, though the reverse may apply to those from whom the gift has been withheld:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: V, i
The Taming of the Shrew: III, i
Being honest with them about their limitations is a good way of forestalling future disappointment . . .
The Two Gentlemen of Verona: IV, ii
Timon of Athens: I, ii
. . . but be careful not to appear insensitive to the feelings of even the most fledgling of musical prodigies:
The Taming of the Shrew: II, i
Praise, Praise, Praise
There’s a lot been written about the importance of praise when it comes to parenting – make sure you’re getting enough:
Troilus and Cressida: II, iii
Dealing with Verbal Abuse
Children can at times be brutally unkind:
King Lear: II, ii
Remain calm and objective. Try to identify the underlying issues that may have led to the outburst . . .
Hamlet: III, iv
. . . remembering all the while that a serious affront may require a physical response:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: III, ii
Appraising Negative Behaviour
Try not to be vague or woolly in your appraisal of negative behaviour outcomes – children need to know exactly where they stand:
King Lear: I, ii
Taking Responsibility
When encountering negative behaviour be sure to give a clear voice to your sense of disappointment, even if it means taking some personal responsibility:
Richard III: I, iii
Getting An Apology
After a falling-out always provide your child with an opportunity to say sorry,
Macbeth: III, i
Antony and Cleopatra: I, i
. . . remembering that a couple of mumbled words is no guarantee of a repentant spirit:
Macbeth: II, iii
King John : IV, iii
Siblings In League
If you have more than one child you may find that they occasionally form highly unlikely and very annoying co-operatives:
Richard III: I, iv
Henry VI Part 2: III, ii
Be quick to realise when one of your edicts is being challenged by one of these temporary alliances . . .
Henry VIII: III, i
King John: V, i
. . . and demonstrate a firm intent not to discuss the matter further:
Julius Caesar: III, i
You may wish to seal your resolution with a mild oath:
King Lear: I, i
Defend Your Prerogatives
In a world where the voice of young people is becoming increasingly powerful you may sometimes need to remind your children who it is that makes the decisions:
The Winter’s Tale: II, i