Like most parents, are you looking for ways to build better communication with your kids? Communication is so important for healthy family relationships. It plays a big role in connecting with our children on a deeper level.
It’s not always easy, but good communication is the key to unlocking our kids’ hearts, which builds trust that lasts. Today I want to share some simple, powerful keys to better communication, especially since it is a HUGE part of winning and keeping their hearts. Good communication is something we need to always be working on as parents. Let’s get started!
Related: 7 Wrong Responses that can shut the door to communication with our children.
Ideas to help you build better communication with your kids:
1. Ask open-ended questions.
Don’t ask questions that can be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Make sure that a little more feedback is required to answer the question. This encourages conversation and shows them that you want to talk with them.
2. Ask about what interests them.
Find out what they are excited about, and ask them about it often. Nothing gets a child or teen talking like asking them about their favorite topic, activity, or interest. It also shows that you care!
3. Acknowledge their emotions.
Respond with “I bet that made you feel sad, hurt, happy, scared,” etc. This makes them feel that you are truly listening and hearing what is in their heart – not just their words.
4. Stop what you’re doing and look at them.
This shows that you care and are interested in hearing what they have to say. Not stopping to look them in the eye and give them your full attention conveys that what you are doing is more important than what they have to say.
5. Ask when, where, or how, not why.
“Why?” sounds accusatory. When they feel like they are being accused, or questioned, they are likely to clam up and stop talking with you. They need to feel it is safe to share their hearts and thoughts with you.
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6. Be aware of their spirit.
Sometimes they may seem to be having a bad attitude, but it is really hiding a hurt or difficulty they are dealing with. Try to discern if something is bothering them.
7. Let them finish what they are saying before you try to respond.
One of my kids once said to me, “Please listen to what I have to say before you respond.” I realized I was guilty of being too quick to respond, and would interrupt to tell them I thought before they had finished.
Listen to hear what they are saying, rather than being distracted from their words by thoughts of how you will reply.
8. Be available.
We can’t schedule a time daily or weekly for our kids to bare their hearts to us. This comes through spending time with them, and happens when they are ready to talk or need to talk. It can’t be forced.
Remember, time spent listening to your children and communicating with them, is always time WELL spent, AND it helps to keep their hearts!
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes... in You and Your Kids
Passionate Parenting: Enjoying the Journey of Parenting TeensSolving A Crisis in Christian Parenting: Why so many prodigals?[(Child Training Tips : What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young)] [By (author) Reb Bradley] published on (August, 2014)
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Want a stronger, more connected relationship with your child? It’s easy to get caught up in the daily to-do list and miss the moments that truly matter.
This free printable gives you 20 simple, heart-centered ways to build trust, deepen your bond, and create a home filled with love.
Get our printable list of 20 Ways To Win Your Child’s Heart
