14 Things to Keep in Mind When You Talk to Your Child

Parenting is full of tough decisions, and a lot of emotion is involved in ensuring our kids are getting the best upbringing possible.

In the interest of protecting children, parents should be very careful when talking to children about topics they are not ready to discuss with them. This includes topics like sex, drugs, alcohol, suicide, etc.

If a child asks a question, parents must always be willing to answer it, even if it is not something they would choose to discuss with their child. By providing honest answers to their posed questions, parents show that they care about their children’s well-being, have a basic understanding of what is important to them, and will protect their children.

A child may ask you questions for the sole purpose of testing your reaction or to figure out whether they should share something with you.

Always be patient and nonjudgmental in response to a child’s questions, and try to understand why he or she asks certain questions.

If you want your child to grow up healthy and happy, you must communicate with them in the best way possible. Here are 14 things to keep in mind when talking to your child.

How to Talk to Your Child?

Every child is different, and they will respond differently to different approaches. However, a few essential tips can help you communicate with your child effectively.

First, be sure to listen to your child. Too often, parents talk to their children without listening to what they have to say.

Pay attention to your child’s body language and tone of voice, and be prepared to listen patiently, even if they only say a few words.

Second, be respectful. Speak to your child gently and respectfully, using terms they can understand. Avoid yelling or speaking harshly; this will make it difficult for your child to listen and learn from you.

Finally, keep communication open.

What to Talk About With Your Child?

No one knows your child better than you do, so it’s important to talk with them about important things. You may want to ask them about their day at school or what they did over the weekend, but there are also other things you can talk about.

Here are a few topics to get you started:

• Their favorite books, movies, or TV shows.
• What they’re interested in learning about and why.
• Their friends and relationships with them.
• The challenges they’re facing at home or school.
• What makes them happy and why.
• The things they’re afraid of or worried about.

Talking with your child is a great way to stay connected and help them grow into well-rounded adults. It’s also a great way to find out more about what’s going on in their lives.

How to Listen to Your Child?

It can be difficult to learn how to listen to your child, especially when they are young.

However, you must try to listen to them, as they will likely need and want to talk to you about things going on in their lives. Here are a few tips on how to best listen to your child:

• Make time for them. Dedicate time each day for your child to talk with you. This can be during dinner, before bed, or even 10-15 minutes spent one-on-one. During this time, allow them to talk about anything and everything that is on their mind.
• Listen with your ears and heart.

What Not to Talk About With Your Child?

There are some things you should never talk about with your child. Religion and politics are two of such topics. If you have different beliefs than your child, keeping them to yourself is best. Your child may also be too young to understand these complex topics.

Another thing you should avoid discussing with your child is their weight. Comments about your child’s body or diet can damage their self-esteem and make them insecure.

As your child grows older, they will start to worry about their weight on their own. There’s no need to add fuel to the fire by bringing it up yourself.

Another topic you should avoid is sex. You may think it’s important for your child to know about sex, but they’re probably not ready for that conversation yet.

If you want your child to grow up healthy and happy, you must communicate with them in the best way possible.

Here are 14 things to keep in mind when talking to your child:

Keep in Mind That Your Child is An Individual

If you are the parent of a child, it’s important to remember that your child is different from you.

Our children have very distinct personalities and needs, so they often respond differently to us as parents.

They may be upset by what we do or say, happy with what we say or don’t say, or perfectly fine in both situations.

We need to be mindful of those differences when we talk to them so we don’t cause unnecessary stress.

Be Respectful When Talking to Your Child

Sometimes your child is just really annoying. Sometimes he or she is a very good person, but you can’t help but be annoyed by him or her. And yet, sometimes, you are sure your child is an angel in disguise.

A few months back, I got a phone call from my daughter asking me in a tone of voice that I was “a mean woman.” She was a brat, and it made me very upset.

In response to the phone call and the incident, I began paying more attention to how my daughter talked to me and others.

I later realized that my behavior had not been so different from most parents’ responses when their children misbehaved — they usually responded by telling them to shut up or get out of their room.

But whereas most parents told their kids to shut up or get out of their room when they were behaving badly, I said, “You don’t need to talk like that.”

In other words, my daughter’s behavior allowed me to exercise some control over her behavior and thus help her learn right from wrong. It may not have been the best approach (but if it worked well for me, you can try it too).

Remember That Your Words Have Power, So Use Them Wisely

This topic is important because it goes beyond the more traditional notions of parenting.

We do not want to suppress our children’s free will (at least not on the surface), but we want to steer them beneficially.

We need to guide them to help them achieve their full potential and maximize their happiness, wealth, and success.

By our words, we can shape a child’s thoughts, ideas, and actions, which will also go a long way towards shaping their life. And while our words carry far less weight than they used to (thanks to the Internet) and social media have diluted their power, there are still some things you should remember when talking with your child.

Be Aware of The Tone You’re Using When Talking to Your Child

It is easy to forget that you are parenting, and the tone you use when you talk to your child can determine whether or not they grow up well.

Your tone of voice greatly affects how your child will react.

For example, parents can make their children feel as if they are not being heard, which could lead to feelings of powerlessness and anxiety.

If this happens, parents must find ways to redirect their children’s attention away from themselves.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

Your body language can communicate a lot to your child.

For example, if you are tense when talking to your child, they may also feel tense. It is important to be relaxed and open when talking to your child so they feel comfortable opening up to you. Ensure your posture is open and you are facing them when speaking.

This will help them feel like you are paying attention to them and that you are interested in what they have to say.

Your Child is Always Watching and Learning From You

If you want your child to be successful, it’s important to set a good example. Your child is always watching and learning from you.

If you want your child to have a good work ethic, be patient, and be kind, you must show them those things yourself.

Children learn by observing the adults around them. If you want your child to be successful, it’s important to lead by example.

Establish Rules of Communication

Giving children rules for communication will help them learn how to communicate with others effectively. Teach them to use polite words and phrases and to listen attentively when someone is speaking to them.

Encourage them to share their feelings, thoughts, and ideas respectfully. Explain that it’s important to respect the feelings of others and that they should never bully or hurt someone else on purpose.

Help your child develop healthy communication habits that will serve them well.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Use clear, concise sentences and avoid using too much jargon. Try to limit your words to those that your child can understand.

Be patient and take your time in explaining things. Repetition can also help ensure that your child understands what you are saying.

Avoid Nagging

It can be difficult to get your child to do what you want them to do without nagging. However, nagging can have the opposite effect of what you intend.

Nagging makes children feel bad about themselves, making them less likely to listen to you in the future.

There are better ways to get your child to cooperate. Try asking them nicely and explaining why it’s important.

If they still don’t listen, try warning them, but don’t keep nagging them after that. Be patient, and eventually, they will learn to listen.

Give Compliments

Tell them things you like about them, their accomplishments, or how they made you feel. Compliments help children feel good about themselves and can encourage them to behave in the desired way.

When children know that they please their parents, it can make them feel happy and important.

Compliments don’t need to be extravagant or over the top. A simple “good job” or “I’m proud of you” can make a big impact.

Make sure your compliments are honest and come from the heart. If your child knows you mean what you say, they will be more likely to listen and take your advice seriously.

It is also important to be positive when giving criticism. Avoid insults or negative comments about your child’s appearance or abilities.

Let Them Talk, Too

Children need to be able to express themselves. They need to be able to share their thoughts and feelings. They need to be able to tell you what’s happening in their lives.

Don’t just talk to your child. Let them talk, too. Listen to them. Respond to them. Talk with them.

Your child will appreciate it. They will feel loved and important. They will know that you care about them and their thoughts and feelings.

Listen More Than You Speak

When you’re talking to your child, it’s important to listen more than you speak. By doing so, you’ll better understand what they’re trying to say, and they’ll feel more heard and understood.

Additionally, listening helps build a strong relationship with your child—one in which they feel comfortable coming to you with anything and everything.

Of course, there will be times when you need to interject or offer guidance, but make sure that those instances are the exception, not the rule.

And when you do need to say something, try to phrase it as a question instead of a statement.

For example: “What do you think might have caused that?” rather than “You shouldn’t have done that.

Don’t Take Things Personally

When we talk to our children, it’s important not to take things personally. If they’re upset about something, we want to be able to listen and help them work through their feelings rather than getting defensive or upset ourselves.

We can help our children learn how to deal with their emotions healthily by remaining calm and understanding.

End With a Positive Note

When talking to your child, always end on a positive note. Tell them what a good job they did or how proud you are of them.

This will help them feel good about themselves and make them more likely to listen to you.

Conclusion

Parents should remember to be patient when talking to their children. They should also be mindful of their child’s age and developmental stage and what they are trying to communicate.

It is important to be supportive and positive while still providing guidance and setting boundaries. Parents should strive to create a healthy and open dialogue with their children to help them grow into happy and successful adults.

I’ve included this article in the hope that it will help you make positive choices and communicate more effectively with your child.

FAQs | Be Mindful When You Talk to Your Child