Helpful tips for communicating with your child

Helpful Hints
 Let the child know that you are interested and involved and that you will help when needed.
 Listen carefully and politely. Don’t interrupt the child when he is trying to tell his story. Be as courteous to your child as you would be to your best friend.
 If you are very angry about a behavior or an incident, don’t attempt communications until you regain your cool, because you cannot be objective until then. It is better to stop, settle down, and talk to your child later.
 If you are very tired, you will have to make an extra effort to be an active listener. Genuine active listening is hard work and is very difficult when your mind and body are already tired.
 Don’t use put-down words or statements: dumb, stupid, lazy: "Stupid, that makes no sense at all" or "What do you know, you’re just a child."
 Embarrassing the child or putting him on the spot in front of others will lead only to resentment and hostility, not good communication.
 Assist the child in planning some specific steps to the solution.
 Show that you accept the child himself, regardless of what he has or has not done.
 Reinforce the child for keeping communication open. Do this by accepting him and praising his efforts to communicate.
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