The importance of listening

"Are you listening or waiting to speak?"

There is a profound difference between the two and often I catch myself doing the latter instead of the former.

As parents if we stepped back and truly listened we would actually find out more about our children and their thoughts than by asking questions. So often our questions are answered with one syllable words or grunts or if the replies are truly in sentence form, we jump in with comments or more questions.

Sometimes we need to just stop talking and listen.

Silence can be a golden opportunity that might be filled by a child's or teen's voice about what is important to them.

Try listening and hold off on the speaking.