From TODAY, Voices
Friday August 29, 2008
By Dr Bill Maier
“But, Dad! You never listen to me!”
Sounds familiar? If so, you probably have a teenager in the house.
Teenagers often complain that parents don’t listen – and sometimes they’re right! As parents, it’s easy to think we’re engaging in a conversation when we’re really just talking, or making a lot of assumptions about what our children are trying to tell us. But there’s a big difference between listening and lecturing.
When your teen wants to talk, turn off the television and put down the newspaper, then give them your full attention. Stay focused on what they’re saying and try to not interrupt.
Instead of rendering a quick opinion, ask questions and try to assimilate all the facts. It takes more time and energy to talk through an issue before making a decision, but our children deserve that much from us. And you may find that many of their requests aren’t as unreasonable as you might have first thought.
Friday August 29, 2008
By Dr Bill Maier
“But, Dad! You never listen to me!”
Sounds familiar? If so, you probably have a teenager in the house.
Teenagers often complain that parents don’t listen – and sometimes they’re right! As parents, it’s easy to think we’re engaging in a conversation when we’re really just talking, or making a lot of assumptions about what our children are trying to tell us. But there’s a big difference between listening and lecturing.
When your teen wants to talk, turn off the television and put down the newspaper, then give them your full attention. Stay focused on what they’re saying and try to not interrupt.
Instead of rendering a quick opinion, ask questions and try to assimilate all the facts. It takes more time and energy to talk through an issue before making a decision, but our children deserve that much from us. And you may find that many of their requests aren’t as unreasonable as you might have first thought.
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