In the day-to-day routine of making sure the kids get to school, do their homework, and eat their dinner (and on and on), simple basic family communication can go overlooked. And when you do get the chance to sit down at the dinner table with your teen (whenever everybody's schedules allow that to happen), you ask her how her day was at school. She says, "fine." And you wonder where the talkative toddler you used to know has gone. Should you just give up hope of knowing what's going on in her head? Of course not. There are simple things you can do to get that communication back. And if your child is still young, there are things you can do to insure that it never goes away. Here, the parents of iVillage share their tips for communicating with their kids.
"If you want your teen to talk to you, listen to them while they are pre-schoolers. Little children will talk and talk and talk even though you are often too busy to listen. But if they learn as child that you will drop everything and listen, they will continue to talk to you when they grow up."
Don't forget to listen, no matter how much you don't want to hear what they are saying. If they tell you, you are lucky!"
"My daughter and I try to get away once a year on a 'Mother/daughter' fun weekend. It really helps open up the lines of communication when you least expect it. When a teen tells you something you find shocking, never let your shock show. It will be the last time they tell you something."
"Don't ever forget how hard it is to be a teenager. They need a parent to be there and to listen when they need to be heard. Parents, don't make the mistake of thinking they are as grown up as they think they are. You always have to be listening and make sure you hear. Don't choose the career or social position over your children."
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