How to Keep an Open Relationship With Your Children

You may be cutting your children off when they only watch TV.

Keeping an open relationship with your children will help you build a strong bond because you can deal with problems before they become a source of contention. Communicating with your children regularly also prevents your child from associating talking with you as something that only occurs when they have done something wrong.

Turn Off the TV

American families often congregate around the television without a second thought. They often sit with blank faces staring at the screen, seemingly without noticing those around them. Turning off the TV and then talking to your children will keep the lines of communication open, and it will help you get to know your children better. This is a time when they can tell you about the problems they are facing in school, work and with friends.

Dinner at the Table

Eating dinner at the kitchen table with your children will encourage them to open up to you. This is a time when you can get to know your children better and understand the troubles they are facing. A casual dinner is a way for your child to feel comfortable communicating with you because they don't feel the pressure they might feel when having face-to-face talks. Dinner is a relatively short amount of time to share your most important thoughts and is easy for most families commit to every day.

Relax Your Children

Children can be uptight about most aspects of their lives, particularly teenagers, but the way they treat their relationship with you depends on your treatment of them. If you are constantly nagging them, the child will be defensive and uptight around you. However, if you spend quality time with them participating in activities they enjoy, your child will feel relaxed and open around you. Something as simple as going to a movie can ease any tension you and your children might have.

Be Interested

When your child is talking to you about something that is going on in their life, be interested and ask questions. As long as they know you are listening to them and they aren't talking for no reason, they will be more interested in sharing more information with you. When you are listening, avoid being critical, or they may cut you off from their personal life altogether. Share information with your life that relates to what they are saying so they can also learn about you.

References

• Today: How to Communicate with Teens
• Dr. Ben Kim: Ways to Foster a Good Relationship With Your Children and Influence Their Behaviour Without Intimidation or Violence