Parent-child communication is the foundation for building strong parent-child relationships. A deep conversation is the key to strengthening the bond between parents and children. Open conversation gives the parents the privilege to understand what’s happening in their child’s life. It will open up the event’s happening in their child’s life and will be beneficial to know steps necessary to be taken from parents.
Communication will help to soothe things up between parents and children. Especially in the teen stage, parents will understand what their child feels about certain things in detail through good communication. Effective communication helps to build a sense of understanding and trust between them and their children or teens. It makes both parties happy.
However, parents should start to deeply communicate with their children from their early toddler stage. When your toddler turns into a teen, your connection will become strong, as you used to communicate with them freely. Listening to their child’s needs during communication can help parents understand their kids’ needs, and they can take steps accordingly. Also, through conversation, parents can make their kids or toddlers feel that they are cherished and valued.
What are the common challenges faced in parent-child communication? How can parents and children communicate feelings in a healthy way?
Effective communication is necessary to hold the family together. But there are some common barriers to communication between children and parents. In this case, conflict occurs between them, which weakens their bond. They are as follows:
1) Time mismanagement
In a house where parents are working, it becomes quite difficult to set time aside for their kids. In this case, parents stay busy at work while children remain engaged in their own activities, such as school, sports, classes, etc. This makes it difficult for both of them to give eachother time and they miss having a conversation.
You should set the rule to have dinner together with family. You can have good communication during dinner, and it will strengthen family relations. You can ask about their lives and events going on to your children while dining together. It will make them realize that you really care for them. They will feel comfortable sharing things that have happened lately in their lives.
You can ask them while having conversation questions related to their lives, such as, “So what’s been going on lately with you?” Or you can ask, “ What’s going on in your school nowadays?” or “Is everything fine with you?” If you come to know that your teen is sad, you can often ask them, “What’s wrong with you? Is everything alright? I will be there for you whenever you need, okay?”
2) Having different perspectives
This case applies to teens and youth. As children grow older, they gain their own view of how to look at something in a certain way. Parents need to understand that they can’t directly change their child’s perspective because everyone develops different perspectives over time.
Every individual’s perspective depends on their personal experience, and observations. Parents find it hard to accept their child’s perspective sometimes because they can’t see through their child’s point of view. So they insist on their own opinions. This might cause a conflict between them and their children. So it’s necessary to understand that every individual has their own perspective, which is part of their own life-journey. Everyone’s perspective should be respected without judgment. Even if there’s a difference between parents and their teen’s or youngster’s opinions due to differing perspectives, they should accept each other’s thinking and not force their own view on each other.
3) Different opinions
Parents should try to understand that their child’s thinking may differ from that of their own thinking as there is a generation gap between them. Children’s opinions may different from those of their parents according to how they see the world. Parents should not act out of possessiveness. Even if parents are experienced in greater aspects of the world, they should not force their opinions and decisions on their children. In this case, especially teens and youngsters may have conflict with their parents, which leads to resistance. It can affect their relationship as a parent and child.
Parents should nicely tell their teens what’s right and what’s wrong. They should value their opinion as well. They should try to discuss important topics with their child before jumping to any conclusions. They should not make decisions for their young and teen children without discussing or with mutual consent. Because revelations in children may lead them down the wrong path as they are not that experienced in the world’s aspects. They may make the wrong decisions because they don’t know your good intentions behind these things. So you should tell them all your analysis about something clearly with your good intentions.
Tips for parents to communicate in a constructive way with their children
1) Make time for sharing hobbies with them:
You need to give your child time to initiate communication between you and them. You should make them comfortable with you by sharing common things, such as their hobbies. You can go skating, swimming with them. You can play any sport, such as football, basketball, volleyball or chess, with them to spend some time. You can paint, sing, and dance with them. It will help you both bond together. Little things like this will help you understand your kids better. You will be able to see the unfolding of your child’s life closely.
2) Creating a safe and judgment-free environment
As a parent you should try to understand your child’s feelings and emotions. Especially when your child enters the teen stage, you should try to be friendly with them without judging or scolding them. This will really help them feel that they have you by their side always. They will tell you everything without any fear. Trust your children that they will not take any wrong steps.
3) Listen to them carefully:
Parents need to listen more while communicating with their kids. This will ensure their kids feel heard and valued. Practice listening more than often when speaking in conversation with your children. Be patient with them while they express themselves, and don’t overreact. This will help you understand their opinions better.
4) Encourage them with praise:
You should try to use positive language while communicating with your child. The use of negative language may hurt their pride and make them feel under confident. You should encourage them by saying positive things. You can make them feel positive by telling moral stories. You can say positive things such as, “You have the potential to do it. I am sure you will succeed.” Or “I see potential in you; just give it a try.”
Suggestions for parents to communicate constructively with their children
- Maintain eye contact while having conversation with your child.
- Show them that you are interested in listening to their opinions.
- Parents should reflect on what their kids say while communicating. They should not ignore their talking.
- Avoid other interruptions while having a conversation with your child. Focus on solely one thing at a time.
- Encourage open communication. This will help your child express their emotions in words while communicating. They will not have to think much while spatting things out.
- Ask them questions about their current state of life. This will help you understand their current situations.
- Try to use simple and clear language while communicating. This will avoid misunderstandings.
- Share your own experiences and the valid reasons behind your opinions.
- You should clearly convey your good intentions while talking to avoid any misunderstanding between you and them.
- Encourage family discussion while having dinner. This will help to bond with the family.
- Approach sensitive topics while communicating with care. Don’t say things without thinking.
- Reassure your child that you are always with them and provide them with support.
- Try to adapt your child’s communication style.
- Parents force some of their opinions on their children. But it’s inappropriate. As there is a huge age gap between you and your children, they might have different opinions than yours. Respect their opinions.
- Handle any misunderstanding or conflict by speaking clearly and wisely to them.
- Seek professional help for parenting if necessary.
Healthy and constructive conversation can remove any communication barrier, preventing conflicts between children and parents. Parents should make time regularly to have necessary conversations with their child. A deep conversation gives you the authority to communicate your feelings in a healthy and constructive way. This will help them feel connected. Parents should try to have constructive conversations with their children for better understanding and bonding. This will help them understand their child’s emotions and current situations, increasing attachment between them. At Delhi Public School Warangal, we encourage parents to engage in such meaningful dialogues to foster a supportive and nurturing environment for their children’s growth.