When daddy came home early – to tell stories

Do you have a kid at home? And do you find it difficult to spend quality time with him…rather get to see him only late in the night when he is in bed. Here is your chance to redeem your guilt. Tell him a story that he would remember for life…and in the process become the Best Daddy of the World. Read on ……
There is nothing more interesting for your kid than to listen a bedtime story from his/her father. You might be tired from the day out at office, or probably do not have time on your hands, but I can tell you it is that five-minute presentation of yours that will make you a hero in your kid`s eyes. Try it tonight.

Still unconvinced? After your story, here is what your kid will go to his bed with –

1) A hero to look up to
2) Liking for adventures
3) A solution for every challenge
4) Love for you

What kind of stories?
To say it in a sentence, your stories need to have a good protagonist, who needs to embark on an adventure, meet up a challenge in neverland, and be back home after solving it, for a happy ending. Even before you start, keep in mind that all stories should have a happy ending, and only monsters and bad guys get killed.

Creative stories make for good listening and in the process also help your kid build a good memory. Not to mention all those life-lessons he would learn.

Before you walk into his bedroom, have the story blue print ready. Ensure that you have given your hero (and your son`s future role model) an easy-to-remember name. As much as possible, try to use “Once Upon a time” to begin your story. With these four words you transport your kid to the world of imagination. A place where the people, trees, animals, and even the colors are his own. He paints it according to his tastes, and waits for the next sentence.

You have nothing to fear because this is a World of his own creation, and a kids mind cannot be as corrupt as yours. Besides, he needs a break from this world of bricks and mortar.

You hero needs to be honest, funny and determined. Give him/her a name that is easy to remember…something like a Mr Hornbill or Mr Shadow or maybe Miss Sweet Lime. My father had created a few heroes for my sisters and me – Miss Goosebumps, Mr ShortHands and Mr Pick-a-boo. I have not forgotten. And believe me, neither would your son.

Your kid has to be impressed with the protagonist you conjure up, so articulate you voice when you are speaking for the hero. Crack a few jokes here and there. To make the narration interesting, you could use some of the things you find on your kid`s bed as props.

In fact, your hero need not necessarily be a human being. It could even be a rat, a fox or a tree. But make sure you kid associates with the being. Make sure your protagonist has no weakness, and even if there is a temporary glitch, ensure that the character fights his way out of the mess.

There is one thing that you might be tempted to fall back just when your son`s hero is n trouble and you have ran out of creativity. And that is magic. Refrain from stories where the hero`s problem is solved by magic or supernatural powers. Some day, your son might be waiting for the same magic to happen, not trying on his own.

Your stories should be memorable, yet should have values. Believe me, it would be fun when you hear your grown up kids tell the same stories to your grand children!