In some families, parents find themselves unable to enter helpful conversations with a son or daughter. Attempts to talk about concerns result in a conversation of blame through words or silence. The times for teaching and learning together are few and far between, if not at all. For these families, we offer an opportunity to significantly improve their relationship through a “walking” in the wilderness.
Parental Questionnaire
Note: Think of one child when completing the following questionnaire.
Scoring the Parental Influence Questionnaire
This survey is based on the following:
Your ability to help things go right for your child is determined by how often you connect with your child and openly share concerns, struggles, and successes with one another.
> 84%
If your score is greater than 84, chances are you are connecting with your child frequently and are having a great deal of positive influence in your child’s life. Continue to find ways to spend quality and frequent time with your child.
60%-84%
If your score is between 60 and 84, spend less time correcting and focus on finding ways to increase the frequency and the quality of the time you spend with you child.
48%-59%
If your score is between 48 and 59, spend less time correcting and focus on finding ways to increase the frequency and the quality of the time you spend with your child—and ask for help. Invite your child’s favorite coach, teacher, relative, or neighbor to spend frequent, quality time with your child.
< 48%
If your score is less than 48, seek an outside intervention for you and your child (i.e., counseling, groups, and/or treatment program—depending upon the degree of at-risk choices your child is making) to help heal and strengthen the parent-child relationship.
Note: Take this survey again in 60 days to see if you have made any improvement.
