It's a brand new week! I'm sure each of you have a lot planned with children, work, school, projects, shopping for groceries, other household needs, and who knows what else. Your lives are busy and your kids' lives are busy! It may seem like all you do is run, run, run....run, run. Oh, the life of a parent.
However, even with all the hustle and bustle in your life, remember that it is so important to take the time to communicate and spend quality time with your child(ren) each day. Quality time can be something as simple as eating breakfast together, or tucking them in at night and spending a few minutes talking to them about their day before they fall asleep. We have talked about this before: communication with your children is extremely important. It helps with their development and maturity, and encourages them to be open and honest with you.
This is especially important for parents and their teenagers. From my experience, teenagers are the least willing to communicate and spend any type of quality time with their parents. Unfortunately, teenagers often need this quality time, attention, and communication more than we realize. During the teenage years, your children are more apt to spend most of their time outside the home. Whether they are at school, participating in sports or other activities, or hanging out with friends, they generally spend most of their time away from the house. It is so important to take the time each and everyday to share a few minutes with them to just chat, talk, discuss, and share opinions. Ask questions that require your teenager to answer with more than a "yes" or a "no." Encourage them to converse with you.
Take advantage of times when you are in the car together, or standing in line at the supermarket or other stores. Capturing your teenagers time can be difficult, so it is important to take advantage of the small moments that you do have together. Never, ever stop trying to make time to have conversations with them - they may push back, or try to avoid the time, but be gently persistent. They need you as a parent, even if they don't act like it.
Here are some tips from HealthyChildren.org on how to communicate with your teenager.
1. Really listen to them. Let your teenager get his or her thoughts in. Listen and really engage in the conversation with your child. Make them feel as if what they have to say is truly important. Ask questions that prompt more conversation and refrain from giving advice until your child has finished speaking.
2. Look at your teen when the two of you are talking. When your teenager comes to you to talk, stop what you are doing, put down what you are reading, and give them your full attention. This is so important.
3. Don't interrupt. Let your teen have their say. Teach them respect by giving them respect when speaking.
4. Watch your tone - use a respectful one, just like you expect from them.
5. Ask questions that elicit further conversation.
6. Repeatedly reassure your teenager when they come to you with a problem.
7. Keep a watchful eye and notice when your teenager needs to or wants to talk, but doesn't know how to approach you. Know your child's moods and behaviors and this will help you be alert to your child's needs.
To read all of these great tips and more, visit http://bit.ly/165Vd2X
Here are some other great websites that can be excellent resources for helping you to open the lines of communication with your teenagers:
http://bit.ly/p1LtjL
http://bit.ly/12rdcBS
http://bit.ly/IY48Jb
And of course, we here at Family Builders are always willing to lend you a helpful and informative hand. Get in touch with us at www.familybuildersok.org
Have a great week and enjoy your teenagers!
No comments:
Post a Comment