Parenting Children - September 14, 2012

Day 31 - The Power of Listening - Part II

Show an interest

• involves effort and generosity
• listen to what appeals to your child(ren)

Avoid shutting them down

• value their ideas
• allow them to express negative feelings such as disappointments, embarrassments, sadness, anxiety, and anger.

Reflect back

• repeat back to your child what you think he or she is saying
• reflect back to your child some of his or her words, but not in parrot fashion, as that can be annoying
• concentrate on reflecting back the feelings you think your child is trying to express, e.g. it sounds like you feel upset or frustrated or sad?
• reflective listening will help your child(ren) to frame their own feelings

Question:
Complete the attached worksheet.

From Series: "Parenting Children Ages 0-10"

Study Guide

More Messages Associated With "Family"...

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Nurturing involves seeking to meet each other’s emotional needs for affection, encouragement, support, comfort, etc,

  • we all have a longing to be loved and to be known by another
  • empty space inside that needs to be filled up with love
  • when empty, we feel alone or lonely giving each other emotional support refills the empty space inside
  • we are made for close relationships

How to nurture

Be proactive rather than reactive:

  • being reactive means focusing on each others shortcomings
  • being proactive means focusing on each other’s needs
  • proactive behavior draws couples together because each one feels loved; when we feel loved, we feel like loving

Study each other:

  • recognize each other’s needs
  • often our partner’s needs and desires will be different to our own
  • discover what matters to your husband or wife. otherwise we tend to give what we like to receive.
  • needs change over time
  • make requests, not demands
  • we can’t assume our husband or wife automatically knows our desires. We must tell each other.

Complete the Worksheets Below: