“Mom, I learned how to dance today. Can I show you?”
At this moment, the mother is busy in the kitchen, mixing oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar… In this situation, mothers usually have two reactions:
– “Sweetheart, let me finish cooking first. The child leaves, disappointed.
– “Sure, honey! Go ahead and show me your dance! You must be so happy today!” The mother and child chat, creating a warm atmosphere.
In reality, children love to share everything with their parents. If parents ignore or give perfunctory responses, children will gradually become less inclined to share anything.
Therefore, experts advise spending more time communicating with children. The best love you can give your child is your companionship and communication.
Successful parenting involves “ignoring” three things and letting go early on so that your child can excel in the future.
Why should fathers talk to their children more often?
In fact, conversation is an excellent educational method.
Conveying love
When fathers regularly communicate with their children, the children naturally become happier and more intelligent. Daily conversations help children develop language skills and create strong connections. By sharing stories, emotions, and thoughts, children learn to express themselves, develop critical thinking skills, and expand their knowledge.
Conveying love.
On the other hand, a lack of communication can cause children to become introverted or even develop psychological disorders. Without spiritual support, children may feel lonely and misunderstood.
Moreover, without open conversations, children struggle with processing emotions and building relationships. When they don’t know how to express their thoughts and feelings, they feel repressed and uncomfortable communicating with others.
Parents understand their children better
Some mothers complain that their children always contradict them and never do as they are told. In reality, a large part of the cause of these contradictions stems from parents not communicating well with their children. Children often have complex thoughts and emotions, and without a proper outlet, these emotions can lead to defiant or non-cooperative behavior.
Therefore, through conversation, parents can understand their children’s true thoughts. These dialogues help parents gain insight into what their children are going through, providing an opportunity for the children to be heard and feel valued.
Additionally, when children feel comfortable sharing their worries, dreams, and even fears, they develop trust. Through conversations about life situations, parents can guide children in recognizing emotions, analyzing problems, and making decisions.
Parents understand their children better.
Building a strong relationship
Regular conversations and building trust are essential factors in a strong parent-child relationship.
When parents take the time to listen and share thoughts, emotions, and experiences with their children, their bond becomes closer. Open communication makes children feel loved, understood, and provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences.
When the relationship is built on trust, children will naturally view their parents as friends. As a result, they will be more inclined to share their problems, worries, or mistakes.
As children grow up, they will carry the values they learned from their parents, developing confidence and a sense of responsibility. These conversations create a safe space that children can always return to for support and advice.
What should parents do when talking to their children?
In reality, communicating with children is not easy, and it requires understanding some key aspects to teach them to listen to what their parents say.
Provide choices for your child
Imagine a scenario where it’s bedtime, and the child says:
“Mom, I don’t want to sleep.”
Inappropriate response: “It’s too late! Go to bed now!”
This is a common reaction from many parents, but this approach can create a sense of pressure and stress for the child. When children feel forced, they become defiant and refuse to go to bed, leading to unnecessary arguments.
Appropriate suggestion: “Okay, you can play for another 5 minutes. But after that, you need to get ready for bed. Would you like to brush your teeth or hear a bedtime story first?”
Provide choices for your child.
By doing this, parents offer a reasonable timeframe while also giving the child a choice. The child feels a sense of control in the situation. While the fact of going to bed remains, it creates a more favorable environment for the child.
When children say they don’t want to sleep, they actually want to keep playing and don’t understand the concept of time. However, when given the choice between beloved activities like brushing their teeth or hearing a fascinating story, they become more interested in going to bed.
When your child says “no” to you
Imagine a scenario where your child frequently says “no” to you.
“Son, it’s time for dinner.”
“No, I don’t want to.” “I don’t like rice”…
Inappropriate response: “I’ve told you it’s time to eat, or else you’ll get punished!”
This response makes the child feel forced and creates fear and defiance. Children tend to react strongly when they feel a loss of autonomy. Threats will only increase the distance between you and your child.
Appropriate suggestion: “Okay, you don’t have to eat, but I want to know why you don’t want to eat now.”
Quality conversations increase family bonding.
This question encourages children to express their thoughts and emotions. When children feel that their opinions are respected, they will bravely express themselves.
When a child says “no,” it’s a sign that they are trying to assert their independence and prove that they are growing up. Instead of worrying about this resistance, parents should view it as a positive step in their development.
Parents are the closest and most influential figures in a child’s life. Therefore, communicating with children frequently teaches them how to solve problems subtly and develop essential life skills.
Use the choice method to inspire children to think for themselves and take responsibility for their actions. For example, instead of forcing your child to eat rice, you could ask: “Would you like to eat something else for dinner, or would you prefer to eat after playing for a bit?” This gives the child a sense of autonomy and encourages them to seek alternative solutions.
“The 3-Pronged Approach to Parenting: Nurturing Well-Rounded and Successful Children”
As parents, we all aspire to raise our children to be successful and well-rounded individuals. However, it is important to recognize that traditional textbook education may not always be the best approach for our little ones. It is crucial to explore alternative methods and tailor our teaching strategies to suit their unique needs and learning styles. By embracing a diverse range of educational tools and embracing each child’s individuality, we can empower them to reach their full potential and thrive in their own unique way.