It is essential that we understand the difference between talking ‘at’ and talking ‘to’ our children. Nobody likes to be ‘nagged’ at, and children are no exception. If you find yourself saying the same things to your children over and over again and are becoming tired of the sound of your own voice, here are some simple techniques that you can use to help improve communication, and strengthen the bond between you and your child.
| Avoid: | Replace with: |
| Commands and Orders | Limited choices and questions, eg. would you like to leave now or in five minutes |
| Using No and negative statements too often | Positive Redirection and questions |
| Reminders | Questions, eg. “What do we do before getting into bed?, or “Is this how we do things in this house?” |
| Asking for things to be done NOW | Limited choices, eg. “Would you like to tidy up now or in five minutes?” |
| Raising your voice from other side of room to be heard | Get down at their level, look at them in the eyes (and try whispering sometimes as you’ll be sure to get their attention!) |
Inspirational quotes:
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say”. Bryant H. McGill
“There’s a lot of difference between listening and hearing.” ― G.K. Chesterton
These are just a few examples of our Best of Parenting Tools. You can find more ideas and solutions to typical parenting challenges in our book ‘Kids Don’t Come With a Manual – The Essential Guide to a Happy Family Life‘.
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This is totally awesome info!!!