| One of the biggest challenges you will face as your | | | | the same place at the same time as your kids, |
| children get older is keeping a healthy, open | | | | sometimes it's necessary to plan ahead to spend |
| relationship. The key to any relationship is | | | | time together. Taking your son on a fishing trip or |
| communication. We all know how important it is to | | | | hitting the mall with your daughter can provide time |
| talk to our kids, especially about tough issues like | | | | for fun and conversation. Pay attention to details and |
| bullying, peer pressure, and safety. But it is equally | | | | ask follow up questions. Sometimes it's easy to ask, |
| important, perhaps more so, to listen to your children. | | | | "how was your day" without even paying attention |
| Listening and taking an interest in their conversation | | | | to the answer. Asking them for details will show |
| can bring you closer and keep you close as they get | | | | them that you are truly interested in what they have |
| older. | | | | to say. |
| Good communication with your children should start | | | | Listening to your kids gives you insight into their |
| almost as soon as they learn to talk. As they go | | | | world. Ask them what music they like, what they like |
| through their "why" phase-"Why is the sky blue?" | | | | to do for fun with their friends and what's considered |
| "Why does Tommy have different color skin than | | | | cool or uncool. They may think you are uncool for |
| me?"-it is important to give them honest answers in | | | | not knowing, but they will appreciate your interest all |
| a way they can understand, even if it may make | | | | the same. It will help you get to know your children |
| you a little uncomfortable. Doing so earns their trust | | | | better as their likes and dislikes change. Don't be |
| so that they feel comfortable coming to you for | | | | afraid to introduce the topics of drugs and alcohol. If |
| answers. | | | | you start talking about the dangerous effects of |
| No matter how insignificant a problem your child has | | | | substance abuse when they are young, it will be a |
| may seem to you, it is important to give it proper | | | | no-brainer when the time comes to say no. They will |
| consideration. By listening to their problems and | | | | know what the right decision is, and that will give |
| helping them work them out or asking the right | | | | them the courage they need to stand up to peer |
| questions to enable them to work the problems out | | | | pressure. |
| for themselves, you are encouraging them to come | | | | No matter what the issue, whether your six-year-old |
| to you whenever they have a problem. It important | | | | feels bad about himself because he's a slow reader |
| that they feel like they can go to you when | | | | or your ten-year-old wants to know why she can't |
| something is wrong, especially important as your | | | | wear makeup like her big sister, it's important to |
| children get older and the issues they face get more | | | | treat you children's concerns with the respect that |
| difficult and dangerous. | | | | you expect your children to show for you. Listening |
| With everyone's busy schedules it's important to get | | | | to their problems, helping them overcome them, and |
| the most out of the time you have with your kids. | | | | being there whenever they just need to vent can |
| Asking them about their day at dinner or turning off | | | | help you maintain a healthy level of communication |
| the TV for a half an hour can help keep your line of | | | | with your children. They may not tell you everything |
| communication open. Since you may not always be in | | | | all the time, but at least they'll know they can. |