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Education Session Topic Overview - Caring for Older Children
Education Session Topic Overview - Caring for Older Children

Sessions on: 8/16/23 & 9/20/23

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Written by Trusted Support
Updated over a year ago

Jump to General Information - August 16th Session

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Caring For Older Children - General Information
August 16th

Overview: The term "older kids" can vary depending on the context and perspective of who you ask. However, generally, children between the ages of 8 to 12 years old are commonly considered older kids or "tweens." This is the stage when children are transitioning from early childhood to adolescence and are becoming more independent, self-aware, and capable of making decisions.

Why it’s important: Adapting your caregiving style for older kids is essential as they have unique developmental needs and are going through significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. By adjusting your approach, you can meet these evolving needs and provide age-appropriate support and guidance. This includes allowing them to exercise their independence, foster effective communication, provide stimulating activities, build trust and rapport, encourage responsibility, and promote self-expression.

Tips + Advice: Discover valuable insights on caring for older children by watching the 5-minute video provided below. Gain practical tips and strategies that will enhance your caregiving skills and ensure the well-being of the children under your care.

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Caring for Older Children - Technology Challenges
September 20th

Overview: Technology has become a major part of a pre-teen’s life, profoundly influencing how older kids learn, interact, and entertain themselves. While the digital world presents plenty of educational and recreational avenues, it also brings forth challenges, especially concerning its impact on older children's behavior, mental well-being, and interpersonal development. For caregivers, the task of balancing screen time becomes more difficult when dealing with older kids, and here's why:

What caregivers are experiencing:

  • Resistance to Limitations: Caregivers frequently encounter resistance when trying to avoid all screen usage or when they enforce limits set by the parents.

  • Increased Autonomy: Older kids often demand more independence in their choices. This autonomy makes it challenging for caregivers to enforce screen time limits without causing resentment or disputes.

  • Extended Periods of Inactivity: For caregivers, constantly supervising children who are predominantly occupied with screens can lead to long, monotonous workdays. This lack of diverse activity can reduce career satisfaction and can be mentally draining as caregivers seek ways to engage children in more interactive activities.

  • Inconsistent Parent Guidelines: Caregivers often struggle with varied parental views on screen time. Some parents may have strict "no screen time" policies when caregivers are present (which is preferred by the Care for Business team), even if older kids are accustomed to using technology daily. This can lead to heightened frustration and potential conflict, as the sudden limitation feels abrupt and unexplained to older children. Conversely, other parents might be permissive, granting their older kids extensive or even unlimited screen access. This relaxed approach can make it particularly challenging for caregivers to motivate kids to engage in other offline activities or to ensure regular breaks from the screen, given the absence of limits.

Tips to Navigate Screen Time Challenges with Older Kids:

  • Set Collective Boundaries: If parents allow unlimited screen time, rather than imposing strict rules, collaborate with the child to establish screen time boundaries that are realistic and acceptable to both parties.

  • Focus on Offline Activities: Encourage offline hobbies that resonate with their interests. Whether it's sports, art, or reading, finding a balance is key. Participating with them can make it more appealing.

  • Educate on Screen Hygiene: Teach children about the importance of regular screen breaks, and maintaining a safe distance from screens to protect their vision.

  • Lead by Example: Don’t be on your phone while on the job. When they see adults practicing what they preach, they're more likely to understand its importance.

  • Intro Call: During the introductory call, it's crucial to communicate our preference for no screen time. Our primary aim is to ensure that children remain actively engaged and have an enjoyable experience. If parents are open to some screen time, kindly inquire about duration limits. However, we encourage avoiding screen usage altogether. At Care for Business, we uphold a strong preference for screen-free bookings to prioritize genuine interactions and engaging activities.

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