Better communication with your kids ~ Guest Post

When it comes to raising a family, communication is vital. You want to be able to share everything and talk about any issues that arise so that your relationship gets stronger.

But sometimes, it can be hard to know exactly how to communicate with your kids in an effective manner – they may refuse to talk to you, or it may just be difficult to understand where the other person is coming from. If you want to establish better communication with your kids, there is no magical remedy; however, there are a few things you can do to try and sow the seeds for better communication in your relationship.

Spend time together

Families that play together stay together – isn’t that how the saying goes? Regardless of what it is, the more time your family spends together, the more opportunity there is for your children to connect with you and the more chance they have to share any problems or concerns with you. Spending time with your children is vital to establish a better bond with them and connect with them; take walks together or play in the park together, and watch as the communication floodgates open.

Make it clear that you’re always there to talk to

Sometimes kids want to talk to you, but they’re scared you’re going to punish them or reprimand them for saying something bad. If you feel like your child is holding back information from you, it’s vital to tell them that they won’t be judged and you won’t stop loving them no matter what information they say to you. The more they trust that you will always love them, the easier it will be for them to communicate with you.

Honesty is definitely the best policy

Children hate being treated like children – they hate being told clichés like “you’ll understand when you’re older” or “you’re just a child”. When you say this to your children, you immediately establish a barrier between you and your little one. Treat them like they’re your equal, and try to explain things as well as possible. Regardless of whether you’re moving houses or you are discussing child custody arrangements with your partner, it’s important to be transparent and open with your family. Be as honest as you possibly can be, and you’ll see your relationship grow.

Don’t invade their privacy

Kids – and especially teenagers – are incredibly protective of their own space. If you feel like something is going on, it’s better to let them tell you in their own time as opposed to snooping around their room or reading their diary to try and gain more information. If you’re incredibly worried about them, talk to their teacher or some of their friends, but don’t invade their personal space – they’ll feel like a certain level of trust has been breached, and they’ll be even more reluctant to share with you.

Tara Waters is a writer who is constantly striving to have a better relationship with her children. She loves them to bits and pieces and tries to spend every waking second with them

**This guest post was brought to you by Watts McCray who are family lawyers.