Communicating with our children can be a difficult task at times. We feel like they're not listening to us; they feel like we're not listening to them. Good listening and communications skills are essential to successful parenting. Your child's feelings, views and opinions have worth, and you should make sure you take the time to sit down and listen openly and discuss them honestly.
It seems to be a natural tendency to react rather than to respond. We pass judgment based on our own feelings and experiences. However, responding means being receptive to our child's feelings and emotions and allowing them to express themselves openly and honestly without fear of repercussion from us. By reacting, we send our child the message that their feelings and opinions are invalid. But by responding and asking questions about why the child feels that way, it opens a dialog that allows them to discuss their feelings further, and allows you a better understanding of where they're coming from. Responding also gives you an opportunity to work out a solution or a plan of action with your child that perhaps they would not have come up with on their own. Your child will also appreciate the fact that maybe you do indeed understand how they feel.
It's crucial in these situations to give your child your full and undivided attention. Put down your newspaper, stop doing dishes, or turn off the television so you can hear the full situation and make eye contact with your child. Keep calm, be inquisitive, and afterwards offer potential solutions to the problem.
Don't discourage your child from feeling upset, angry, or frustrated. Our initial instinct may be to say or do something to steer our child away from it, but this can be a detrimental tactic. Again, listen to your child, ask questions to find out why they are feeling that way, and then offer potential solutions to alleviate the bad feeling.
Just as we do, our children have feelings and experience difficult situations. By actively listening and participating with our child as they talk about it, it demonstrates to them that we do care, we want to help and we have similar experiences of our own that they can draw from. Remember, respond - don't react.
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Because Just Isnt The Answer
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The Family That Eats Together Stays Healthy Together
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Protect Your Childs Emotional Well Being
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Connect With Your Child But Dont Overdo It
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Teach Your Child To Give Respect And They Will Gain Respect In Return
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Successful Two Way Communications With Your Child
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Providing A Safe And Secure Home For Your Child
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The Keys To Effective Discipline
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Control Your Anger Don't Let It Control You
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Our Ever Changing Role As A Parent
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Get Involved In Your Childs Activities Hobbies And School
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The Positive Influence Of Being Involved In Your Childs Education
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Positive Discipline Without Hurting Your Child
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Constructing Your Childs Healthy Sense Of Self Esteem
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The Importance Of A Regular Routine To Your Child
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Learn From Your Mistakes And So Will Your Child
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Take The Bite Out Of Your Toddlers Biting Problem
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Postive Praise For Your Childs Pride
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Encouraging Play Encourages A Childs Development
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Interrupt Your Childs Interruption Habit
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Celebrate Your Childs Uniqueness
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Negotiating Rules
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Clear Expectations Make Discipline Easier
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Present A Unified Parental Front When Disciplining Your Child
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Harsh Discipline Does It Do More Harm Than Good
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Follow Thorugh Is The Key To Successful Discipline
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The Whys Of Whining
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Physical Punishment Is Ineffective And Harmful
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Time Outs Help Reinforce Positive Behavior And Discourage Misbehaving
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Good Parenting
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