Parenting Tip: Listening

One of the best things we can do as parents is to listen. But, it is really easy for us to give advice, to tell our kids what they should do in certain situations and to jump in the conversation and say what we think.

It is more helpful if we hold on to our advice and listen first. 

Sometimes we need to start the conversations by asking the questions! Questions like: What do you think would be helpful? What do you like about this game? How do you feel about this friendship? 

AND THEN… Listen. Listen to their heart and what is really going on.

Listening can create a safe place. Listening and not jumping to our own conclusions and giving our own advice can create a non judgemental place for our kids to share.

Let’s realize that as parents… we have experience that they don’t have yet, 

which makes us want to share and guide like crazy, but our kids don’t always want to hear all about our experience. 

They do want us to be safe. They do want us to listen. Yes, at the right time we should share from our experience and offer help and guidance. 

But listening first is key. 

It provides safety, it helps us gain understanding and it invites us into their lives to love and guide them well. So, take some time today and listen to each of your kids. Show them you care by listening.

by: Cady Ruth Sentell, Children’s Minister