Parenting Tips - Family communication

 

Parents

Family communication

• Communication is about talking and listening, sharing interests, solving problems, talking about our experiences, expressing feelings, explaining what we need and want and telling stories. When you talk with your family it helps to remember that they are people and not just partners, children and parents.

• Everyone has negative times. How we deal with them is what counts. Using too much sarcasm, teasing, name calling, shaming, nagging, threats, blame or any form of physical violence makes you feel bad about yourself - not to mention everyone else.

• You can speak and listen to others better by:

• really listening to what people say and mean • trying to understand each other • being aware of your own feelings • trying to understand other points of view

• speaking in ways which make sense to others • trying to match tone and words • thinking about other people's feelings • being clear about what you expect and expect the best

• keeping your sense of humor • solving problems together • discussing choices

• knowing what responsibilities are appropriate for your child at different ages • talking about things other people try to do and things they are better at

• helping children say how they are feeling • making some family rules, eg, people are not for hitting or hurting • asking others how they spent their day

• spending time with children talking, playing a game, reading a story, listening to a record.

As a parent you can -

• Give him the courage to be imperfect.

• Base your comments on the effort being made and not on the result.

• Encourage your child to TRY.

• Remind him that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is perfect.

• Don't rush him into any activity.

• Don't compare him with other children.

• Don't be critical - be supportive