Monitor Your Children

Monitoring your children does not mean surveillance – it means staying meaningfully connected to their lives so you can guide and support them effectively.

What monitoring means at different ages

• Toddlers: Direct supervision at all times, childproofing the environment
• Preschoolers: Close supervision with some guided independence in safe settings
• School age: Knowing friends, activities, and whereabouts; checking in regularly

Why monitoring matters

Research consistently shows that children whose parents are aware of their activities, friends, and whereabouts are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Monitoring also creates opportunities for connection and communication.

Monitoring without hovering

• Ask open-ended questions about their day
• Know your child's friends and their families
• Create family routines that include check-in conversations
• Be the kind of parent your child wants to talk to

The goal is to remain a trusted and present figure in your child's life while giving them the appropriate level of independence for their age and maturity.