Find a private spot without many distractions, where the child can look at you, and where others’ attention will not be drawn. Unless there is a safety issue, take a few minutes to reflect before you speak, and consider how you might express concerns to a child in a way that makes sense, in an environment appropriate for conversation. Sometimes we are too quick to lash out verbally, and this causes more harm than good. Be mindful and understanding of life circumstances that could be impacting your child’s behavior. Situations such as divorce, a death in the family, or moving to a new home can be stressful,causing a child to behave inappropriately. Some children are more sensitive than others, while other children may be in family situations that are causing them to act out or seek attention in negative ways. But be cautious in how you say it: the focus should be on how you feel, not on what the child did.Ĭonsider your child’s temperament, personality, and current situation. It’s okay to tell a child that you feel sad about a situation or that you’re disappointed. It may sound silly to say, but it’s important to be honest with our children. There should never be any name-calling or phrases that cause a child’s self-worth to be compromised.īe honest. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we need to ensure that we’re using words to explain how we feel or think and not words that make children feel defeated. Below are some practical tips for ensuring our conversations with children are positive and meaningful.Ĭhoose kind words. With that in mind, we can all be more proactive in our conversations with children, using our words carefully and in honest and loving ways. The truth is that no parent is perfect, and we all say things we don’t mean or wish we had said differently. The power of the words we use with children is like no other! Much research has been done on the lasting effect our words have on children: we all know someone who still remembers something a parent, grandparent, sibling, or teacher said years ago that still feels fresh today.Īs parents, we’re not always aware of the implications our words can have some of us may still regret something hurtful we said to our children when emotions were high.
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