Our children are our most precious possessions.
I know that for the vast majority of parents this is a true statement.
We nurture them from birth, kiss away their bumps and bruises as toddlers, reassure them as they leave for school and always feel every pain that they have.
But, as they get older how can we make sure that the channels of communication stay open and that they will discuss any problems, worries and fears that they have with us rather than with someone else? Firstly, I should say that we can all be pretty sure that if they have problems they will likely discuss these with some of their peers and friends and that is normal.
What we want to try to ensure is that they also come to us parents for guidance and feel the freedom to do that.
To me the key to keeping the communication open is to always have maintained good communication with your children.
If they have come home with little issues when they were small and you have taken the time to listen and either sympathise or help them they are much more likely to maintain the habit.
Also they need to know that you will listen and that no subjects are taboo.
Would you rather your child discussed contraception for instance with someone else or with you? For some that answer may be - someone else.
But, think this out.
You are much more likely to know what is going on in your child's life and the dangers they may be in if they come to you with this issue.
Also with issues like bullying it is much better if you are in the picture and able to offer support and help rather than have an introverted child who is deeply affected by the problem but can't talk about it.
Obviously there will always be instances where our children will not come to us and will turn to peers for advice.
We can only hope that if we nurture them, love and support them,always keeping communication open that they will feel they can trust us with any of the factors affecting their lives.
I know that for the vast majority of parents this is a true statement.
We nurture them from birth, kiss away their bumps and bruises as toddlers, reassure them as they leave for school and always feel every pain that they have.
But, as they get older how can we make sure that the channels of communication stay open and that they will discuss any problems, worries and fears that they have with us rather than with someone else? Firstly, I should say that we can all be pretty sure that if they have problems they will likely discuss these with some of their peers and friends and that is normal.
What we want to try to ensure is that they also come to us parents for guidance and feel the freedom to do that.
To me the key to keeping the communication open is to always have maintained good communication with your children.
If they have come home with little issues when they were small and you have taken the time to listen and either sympathise or help them they are much more likely to maintain the habit.
Also they need to know that you will listen and that no subjects are taboo.
Would you rather your child discussed contraception for instance with someone else or with you? For some that answer may be - someone else.
But, think this out.
You are much more likely to know what is going on in your child's life and the dangers they may be in if they come to you with this issue.
Also with issues like bullying it is much better if you are in the picture and able to offer support and help rather than have an introverted child who is deeply affected by the problem but can't talk about it.
Obviously there will always be instances where our children will not come to us and will turn to peers for advice.
We can only hope that if we nurture them, love and support them,always keeping communication open that they will feel they can trust us with any of the factors affecting their lives.
SHARE
