DAYTON, Ohio — If you want to live a long life, nurture your relationships with family and friends. That’s one of the messages from a recent book by Franklin and Adler based on interviews with more than 500 people over the age of 100.

Here’s what effective parents do to stay engaged with their children:

1. Eat meals together at least four times per week.

2. Power down the electronics, particularly during meals. This means no answering the phone, texting or watching TV.

3. Do things together as a family. Involve your kids in family activities, whether that’s going to movies or doing the grocery shopping.

4. Show interest in your children’s activities. Ask lots of questions and try to understand their perspective. Stop lecturing and giving your own opinions. Don’t ridicule music you’ve never heard, or criticize something you don’t understand. Allow yourself to enter into their world.

5. Talk about your day with your kids. Share your joys and disappointments, and acknowledge your mistakes. Let your kids see you as a real person. Describe problems that you experienced and get their viewpoint on how they would deal with similar situations.

6. Lighten up and laugh. Don’t pressure your kids too much. In a few years, their grade on a spelling test will be of no significance.

How’s your relationship with your child? Why don’t you show them this article, and ask your youngster what everyone in the family might do differently to improve family relationships?