- Stop, Look, Listen: Parenting
Communication Tips!
By Rachel Webb
As a parent is seems that the
majority of your day is spent trying to get your children to
listen to what you are trying to teach them. Make them understand
how to be a responsible child. Convince them to make the right
choices. Kids call these lectures. Some parents call them friendly
reminders or teaching opportunities.
|
Dean Rusks said, "One of
the best ways to persuade others- is with your ears!" There
are three steps that may help you to remember to use better listening
skills can help you achieve more effective communication with
your child. Just three small words. Stop. Look. Listen.
STOP what you are doing. Put your child on your lap
or sit beside them so you are at their eye level. This tells
your child that they are important and that they now have your
full attention. |
|
LOOK your child in the eye. Maintaining good eye contact
during a conversation is a good way to recognize important non-verbal
behavior. Your child's posture, body movements and gestures can
tell parents a lot about how their child is feeling.
LISTEN and really hear what your child is saying. You
can give your child clues that you are listening bu nodding,
smiling or raising your eyebrows. These kind of communication
signals will encourage your child to open up to you and feel
they are being understood.
Randall A. Wright gives a parenting test in his book Building
Better Homes and Families. See how you rate.
1) Do You look at your children when listening to them?
2) Are you trying to understand how your children
feel instead of thinking how you feel about what they are telling
you?
3) Do you raise your voice in anger at your children
who interrupt you while on the phone or when you are visiting
with guests in your home?
4) Do you listen patiently to all that your children
have to say before you start talking?
5) Are you truly interested in what your children
tell you?
6) Do you expect your children to stop what they
are doing and listen when you need to tell them something?
7) Do you stop what you are doing when your children
have something important to tell you?
8) Do you listen in a way that encourages your children
to express their real feelings?
9) Do you listen with affection to your children?
|
Beauty Secrets of the World
