How to improve communication with your child

Peter Hoogduin Author

Mar 14, 2023 |

Let's take a look at how to improve communication between parents and their children

How do you improve communication with your child?

First, let's take a look at the method most parents and teachers use.

Most parents and teachers use the method of forcing their thoughts and wants onto the child, which can lead to resistance, especially when your child enters puberty.

When children are younger, they don't always resist as much due to not fully understanding or due to fear of reprisal when they stand up for themselves.

The point I'm trying to make is that when you force your thoughts or wants on a child it leads to a break in their communication with you, and they gradually won't tell you anything that you don't want to hear or things they think you disapprove of, which is a major problem. Because when they get older, and they run into problems, then who would they go to? You? Probably not; maybe a friend. Now if this friend is bright and a pretty good person then maybe there are no worries, but what if this friend or other person steers them in the wrong direction, then what?

So you see, it's crucial to maintain open communication with your child.

Let me give you 2 quick tips that you can implement today to help you improve communication with your child.

1. Be present when communicating with your child.

Being present simply means being there with your child when communicating and giving them your undivided attention. So put down your phone, turn off the TV and don't think about other important things, and just be there with your child and listen to them. This means do less talking and more listening, and try to understand what your child is telling you.

2. Make it safe for them to communicate

To make it safe for your child to communicate with you, all you need to do is to make sure you don't break trust and that your child can tell you anything and that he isn't afraid because of harsh consequences, or of you not really listening or understanding his concerns.

Alright, let's try to slowly implement these steps and see the changes happen in your child.

Remember to fully implementing these steps take time and, at first, you will mess up, and your child might not immediately feel safe communicating with you, but in time your child will open up.

Ok, let's get busy building better communication with your child, it takes practice and time!

We are working on creating a full course on communication.

Check out our other parenting courses:

https://www.kungfuparenting.co...

Categories: : Parenting Tips