Breaking Down The
Communication Barriers With Your Kids
Being a parent isn't easy. Some days
just getting everyone in your family all together at the same time
for dinner can seem like the "impossible dream". Between after
school sports and clubs and working and errands and carpools, it's
not surprising that almost half of the parents in a recent survey
said they feel a growing distance between themselves and their
children.
Today's children have more things to deal with than kids did even
twenty years ago. Drugs, violence, mixed messages in advertising,
peer pressure, packed schedules and outside activities all add to
the pressure they face. On top of that, we are living in a world of
growing unemployment, leaving some children wondering where their
future lies.
Growing up is a continual process filled with regular highs and
lows. As a parent, it's expected. But what can you do to help
through the tough times they might face down the road of life? Here
are some quick tips for those parents that are struggling to
understand their changes, both physical and emotional as they grow
to young adulthood.
Communicate...communicate...communicate. By this I mean proper
communication i.e. the exchange of information which involves
LISTENING as well as speaking. No matter how compelled you might be,
DON'T INTERRUPT THEM! Let them get the weight of their concerns or
problems off their chest without "butting in" irregardless of how
upset you might be at what they are revealing to you. Yes, they are
letting you inside their small, strange world, so be grateful. It
will help to strengthen their trust in you not to EXPLODE on them
and further open the line of communication between you both.
Show understanding and compassion...remember, you were a child
struggling through the maze of becoming an adult once yourself.
Everything is a drama and their perceived world will crumble quickly
if you trivialize their problem.
Remember that your children are individuals. They each have their
own unique personality traits so don't compare them...celebrate
their uniqueness. To do otherwise is to belittle their importance.
Above all, LOVE them. Everyone makes mistakes, some more serious
than others but they need to know your love is unconditional.
Anne Wolski has worked within the
health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. To see many
great health-related resources, go to
http://www.magnetic-health-online.com
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