Successful Two-Way Communications With Your Child

Communicating effectively with one's child is perhaps one of the toughest challenges that parents have to face. In spite of trying to open a two-way communication line with our child, it gets frustrating if we find that their attention is not on the ongoing conversation or on us at all. We complain about broken communication lines when all the time we find it completely alright to converse with them when we are folding clothes, reading the newspaper, writing letters or cooking meals.

By nature children get easily distracted and do not always respond as expected to their environment. It becomes the duty of the parents to encourage positive communication patterns and to discourage the act of ignoring communication. In order to make sure that a non-verbal agreement does not ensue, it is important to educate the child on proper communication forms and hence prevent this. Teaching by example is the best method. While conversing, you must direct your complete attention on them and total focus on the conversation. Allow voicemail to take your calls, turn the television off or go to a room with no distractions if that's what it takes.

You must gently and in age appropriate terms explain to your child what is wrong with their form of communication and why it doesn't work. Even when there are hard questions, you must show you child the most effective manner of communication. Become a good listener. You must encourage them to tell their side of the story and to voice their opinions and respond positively to show that you understand their point of view.

You must communicate with your child in a consistent manner. You must send out the same signals ach time you interact. The child must be allowed to see that you will definitely call their attention whenever unwanted behavior takes place.

Kids are after all kids and it is normal for them to be non-communicative and non-reactive sometimes. Your child is your domain and you should know best how to interpret his or her behavior and gauge improvement in communication skills. Modeling positive communication skills is the best way of ensuring that your child imbibes healthy communication patterns.