My child does not listen! Sounds familiar? I think many parents will answer yes to that question! Mostly because parent-child communication is often a challenge. And it feels like our kids just won’t listen … But, it doesn’t need to be like that.

Having a quality conversation with our kids can be quite challenging. Often it feels like the kids are just not paying attention … And the root of this problem is simply ineffective parent-child communication …

There is good news though

the problem can easily be solved. Few families have mastered the art of good parent-child communication, but as a principal, we can all learn to communicate better. And, in today’s post, we discuss 6 building blocks to do just that and help you improve your parent-child communication

Related parenting tips

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may be compensated when you make a purchase after clicking a link, with no added cost to you.

Save this parent-child-communication post for later

Click here to save this post for later in your parenting board

and follow us on Pinterest for the best parenting tips and advice

Time to unravel parent-child communication problems

and discover everything we need to know to help us talk in a way that our kids actually listen to us the first time. The most common communication difficulties include

Parents and children express themselves differently

This happens because we all use age-related words and ways to communicate. and it’s very important to understand and acknowledge these differences. You can find great information on this topic, form this amazing book.

We speak from the heart or the brain

Grownups often overthink their statements. Kids, on the other hand, tend to say whatever comes to mind. This is the reason why they are often more honest about their feelings than we are …

Top communication tip

A super-easy way to help kids explore their emotions is to use big emotion games that teach them these important life skills. Learning to express their emotions is also boosted by this great family game.

How to improve parent-child communication

You can start to converse more easily with your kids today by

understanding the problems mentioned above and
implementing the 6 valuable building blocks below

And doing this will vastly improve your ability to understand your child and you will get them to really listen to what you are saying – the first time.

And, it gets even better

Good parent-child communication skills will strengthen your family bond for life. Helping you build lasting relationships stemming from respect and trust.

Time to discover those 6 building blocks you to start communicate effectively

6 building blocks to stress-free parent-child communication

You can grab yourself a copy of the 6 building blocks below for easy reference.

Implement these building blocks today and be on your way to having stress-free conversations with your child. Time to discover more detail on each of the important parent-child communication building blocks

Better communication building block nr. 1

parent-child communication tips: Be on the same level and make eye contact. #parentchildcommunication #parentingtips

A great way to start any conversation is to be down on a child’s level and make direct eye contact with them. Ask them to also look you in the eye, to build mutual respect.

Be on the same level and make eye contact and

hold their hands to keep their attention and
help them focus on what you are saying

You will be amazed at the difference this little gesture makes. It will help you improve your parent-child communication skills from the get-go.

These are easy yet powerful tips that will help you be a Power Parent raising Brilliant Kids …

Get free access to the mom life course

Better communication building block nr. 2

parent-child communication tips: Give your undivided attention #parentchildcommunication #parentingtips

Leave whatever you are busy with and give our kids our full attention when they initiate dialogue. The most difficult part is often

to resist the urge to answer our phones …
or finish watching our favorite TV show over their shoulders …

Aren’t we all guilty of this … ?

By giving them our undivided attention

we let them know that the conversation is important to us and
we truly care about what they are saying

They will automatically respect our words more at the same time.

Better communication building block nr. 3

Parent-child communication tips: Be positive, no blaming or bribing #parentchildcommunication #bestparentingtips

We need to encourage our kids daily. Yes, daily! Because our encouragement and praise

reassures our children, it
motivates them
improves their cooperation
helps to earn their respect and
boosts their self-esteem

Tips on how to be positive and encourage our kids without blaming or bribing

Before discussing the most important ones in more detail, here are four tips to implement immediately

always be sincere to build trust
be specific so the kids know what we want from them
try to be as descriptive as possible depending on their age
be positive and avoid blaming them

the power of positivity

It is very important to use positive statements such as

it would be great if you can put your shoes away or
it’s really great when those shoes find their way into the cupboard …

As opposed to negative remarks like

you always forget your shoes in the corridor or
if I trip over your shoes again, they will end up in the rubbish bin …

Can you see the difference? We need to make a mental note to always

think before we speak and
change our requests to be constructive rather than judging

keep it short and sweet

Try to make your request short and direct. Giving a lecture has little impact on changing behavior. Saying things that are hurtful rarely motivates a child to take action.

beware of bribery

We must always resist bribing our children to get things done. There’s nothing wrong with using start cards or reward charts. Just make sure the kids understand what they are rewarded for to make this an effective strategy.

Propose an appropriate award when they complete a task. And praise them for doing something to the best of their ability. Remember we don’t reward perfect results, simply their effort, no matter what the outcome.

You might like to read about effective discipline and how to stop defiant behavior.

teach kids to do chores and praise efforts, positive parenting and improve parent child communication #parenting #positiveparenting

an example of positive praise

I allow my 5-year-old son to organize his own sock and underwear drawer. When doing this, we always need to remind ourselves to not judge the result, but simply encourage the effort. Although imperfect, their effort is much more valuable than no attempt whatsoever. And, when they don’t get our approval for their attempt, they will probably never try again.

The best positive praise comes without blame and comparison

Because when it does, unfortunately, it

lowers our kids’ self-esteem
makes them unsure of themselves
makes them feel unworthy and
grows feelings of quilt

and that’s exactly what we don’t want for our kids.

Teenager Communication tip

We should always refrain from reprimanding our kids in the company of friends or siblings. And, rather have personal conversations when we and our kids are alone. Doing that allows for more effective one-on-one discussion without distraction or feelings of shame.

Read more about this in the 7 Simple Strategies to be an Awesome Parent post.

Better communication building block nr. 4

Parent-child communication tips: Voice opinions and feelings #parentchildcommunication #bestparentingtips

It is very important to allow everyone in the family

to say how they feel about decisions that impact on you all collectively
for example when planning family outings or holidays

Teaching kids to voice their feelings and opinions

is super important at a very young age. Great ways to do this is by teaching whilst having fun. Here are some great ideas to get you started

enjoy some of the 101 family happiness and kindness hacks together
play family games helping them to express their emotions
do learning styles activities

Another great way is to solve problems together

jointly make family plans
- this helps them know we respect their opinions
give them the opportunity to suggest a plan of action

Remember to never dismiss your child’s opinion. Dismissal will result in them contributing less to conversations and not sharing their thoughts and makes the teenage year so much more difficult.

Better communication building block nr. 5

Parent-child communication tips: Focus on body language #parentchildcommunication #bestparentingtips

Both their and our body language speak volumes. Kids will often tell us way more by means of body language than actual words. Make a real effort to read the message behind their words.

Be consistent

We should always let our words and body language say the same thing, this is the essence of effective parent-child communication. We must try to be affectionate and friendly when having a personal discussion as this

makes them feel comfortable to share personal issues with us and
initiate important conversations

Check out my tear-free bath time secret here.

Better communication building block nr. 6

Parent-child communication tips: Repeat each others messages #parentchildcommunication #bestparentingtips

Earlier, we were wondering we our kids won’t listen. Is it maybe because they don’t understand …

We have to make sure that our children comprehend what we are saying or asking. Especially when we are giving instructions that we expect them to follow.

Repeating each other’s request

is an effective way to ensure everyone’s on the same page. In addition, by repeating their opinions and requests

we show them we understand and
appreciate their feelings and opinions

Parent-child communication tips summarized

So there you have the 6 building blocks of good parent-child communication that you can start to implement today. Even though stress-free communication can be challenging at times, it remains the foundation of a lasting parent-child relationship and we need to work on it every single day.

Here’s a quick list again

6 building blocks to effective parent-child communication

be on the same level and make eye contact
give your undivided attention
be positive, no blaming or bribing
voice opinions and feeling
focus on body language
repeat each other messages

Let’s finish this off by summarizing the

benefits of effective parent-child communication

when we effectively communicate it teaches our kids an important life skill, and

has a positive impact on our day-to-day family life
enhances positive social interaction
- with friends and
- teachers at school

By acquiring effective communication skills from us

our children will develop confidence in speaking about their ideas and feelings, no matter the situation
and appreciate the importance of listening when others are speaking and
respect different views and opinions.

Incorporate these six parent-child communication building blocks into your family life today and let conversation time be something you and your children look forward to.

Always remember to adore your kids for who they are and not what they do. And, do not let a single day pass without you telling them

you are proud of them and love them to the moon and back!

Please leave a comment below

and tell me how easily you converse with your child and
the communication skills that work for you and those that don’t

Click here to save this post for later in your parenting board and follow us on Pinterest.

More parent-child communication information

Starting your own blog?

You should, It’s Awesome. And here is the only tip you need

Do it right from the start

Discover EVERYTHING you need to know to start your blog
Learn how to get 200K page views per month
Make money with affiliate marketing
Make more money with your blog

Free blogging resources how to start a blog for beginners and how to make money online. best blog tips. blogging for beginners steps by step. #blogging #freeprintables #blogtips #howtostartablog #makemoneyonline

And, check out this comprehensive blogging post

with 50+ blogging courses, freebies and bloggers

Please Save and share

SAVE THIS POST ON PINTEREST

FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST