Most parents can find it challenging to build a balanced relationship with their children. On the one hand, you want to be their best friend and confidant. But, on the other hand, you know you need to set the rules and tell them off when they do wrong. Being a parent is all about managing authority and affection in equal measures so that you can still have a great time with the kids. Unfortunately, finding the right balance can be tricky. It’s not uncommon for parents to feel trapped into one side or the other without having ways of expanding their role. And nobody wants to be the parent-friend or the authoritative parent that every kid fears. You want to be the parent who can build a mutually respectful relationship with your children without the need for punishment or arbitrary rules. Ideally, we would all like our kids to understand that the rules we give them are not there to disturb, but they exist so that everybody can live together at peace like one team. They’re for the greater good. 

Do you know where else the concepts of teamwork and greater good appear? In the business world. As surprising as it might sound, there are handy tips you could find in business processes that would work a charm with parenting. 

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Set expectations properly

While parenting should not be a world of high expectations, it’s fair to say that parents should have expectations for their children, such as wanting them to be well-behaved and polite, for instance. In the business world, managers also have expectations for their employees, which they measure through performance reviews. Indeed, the reviews need to balance positive feedback and areas where improvement is required in such a way that each employee can progress. As a parent, you can follow the same principle. Ultimately, the performance you expect from your children varies depending on their age, as well as the situation. But you can use the same business principle to provide feedback, such as helping your kids to understand what is right from what isn’t as well as improving their behaviors. As with all feedback, as a parent, you shouldn’t only talk to your kids about their mistakes, but also about what they do right to reinforce a positive attitude. 

Real estate is a great game & teaching tool

If you are self-isolating, you probably have a lot more time on your hands to spend with the kids. Now’s the perfect opportunity to get those board games out of the attic and start playing as a family. Board games can be a fantastic educational tool as well as being fun. Nothing is as effective as Monopoly to give them an overview of the real world. In the Monopoly game, players are to purchase real estate properties and manage them. As a result, the game can not only help kids to understand the housing market and be more careful with the household – nobody wants to pay for repairs! Additionally, the game also provides a great insight into budget management, helping kids to use their pocket money better. 

Scheduling breaks regularly

People who work in an office need regular breaks throughout the day to recharge their batteries. According to science, short and frequent breaks of a few minutes are more effective to cognitive skills and brain blood flow. But longer breaks are healthier for your muscles and artery functions. As such, the ideal break schedule for employees is typically a handful of minutes every 1.5 to 2 hours. You can use the same principle at home, especially if you are self-isolating and homeschooling. It’s also a fantastic way of dividing day-to-day activities to keep kids interested and engaged. 

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The art of asking for raise

How many employees ask for a raise during their lifetime? The answer is many! And that’s why you’ll find plenty of guidelines and helpful articles about the best way to ask for more money. Managers agree that people who can ask for feedback on their performance and improve are more likely to keep on track. Besides, employees who are willing to take on more responsibilities and demonstrate added value have a better chance of getting a raise. For kids, a raise means pocket money. If they want to get more, they need to show how they contribute to household life – chores, anyone? – and meet your expectations. 

While this doesn’t mean that you should treat your children like co-workers, there is a lot to say about leading your household like a business where everyone contributes and has a role to fulfill. Taking inspiration from the business world can help you to establish positive parenting rules and build a balanced relationship with your children.