Sun 6 Jan 2008
Listen to Your Kid Actively, Knowing Them Better
Posted by Jane under Family
Communicating with our children can be difficult at times. We have the impression that they are not listening to us, they feel like we are not listening to them. Good listening and communication skills are essential to successful parenting. Feelings of your child, the views and opinions have value, and you should make sure that you take the time to sit and listen and discuss openly their honesty.
This seems to be a natural tendency to react rather than to react. We judge on the basis of our own feelings and experiences. However, in response means being responsive to our child’s feelings and emotions and allow them to express themselves openly and honestly without fear of repercussions at home. In responding, we are sending our children the message that their feelings and opinions are not valid. But by answering and asking questions about why the child feels this way, it opens a dialog that allows them to discuss their feelings further, and allows you to better understand where they come from. Replying also gives you the opportunity to find a solution or an action plan with your child that maybe they would not develop on their own. Your child will also appreciate the fact that you might actually understand how they feel.
It is crucial in this case to give your child your full attention. Submit your newspaper, to halt the dishes, or to turn off the television so you can hear the whole situation and make eye contact with your child. Stay calm, be curious, and then propose possible solutions to this problem. Do not discourage your child to feel disappointed, angry or frustrated. Our first instinct might be to say or do something to guide our children far away, but it can be harmful tactics. Again, listen to your child, ask questions about why they feel this way, and then propose possible solutions to alleviate the wrong impression.
Just like we do, our children have feelings and experience difficult situations. By actively listening and participate in our children as they talk, it demonstrates to them that we do care, we want to help and we have similar experiences of our own that they can be learned. Remember, answer - do not react.
Tags: attention, child, communication, dialog, Kid, listening, parenting, response


















