ScottCounseling

Home should be a place where children feel truly comfortable about talking freely about their likes and dislikes, their friends and their feelings. Parenting children in an atmosphere with open communication, will help both the parent and child feel more comfortable during life’s ups and downs. This secures both parent and child and creates a safer family environment

If you notice a change in your child’s behavior, have a heart-to-heart talk. Find a comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted and talk with your child in a concerned and nonthreatening way. Ask teachers and school administrators if there’s a problem at school and, if so, ask them for help.

Here are some strategies for promoting good communication with your children and an… Continue Reading

Are you a parent who’s having a difficult time getting your teen to sit down and have a conversation with you? Does your teen avoid your questions? Do you only get a one or two word answer or short comments from your child? Well, you are not a parent who is facing a rare situation. Many parents are searching for methods or strategies to get their child to open up with them. This article will provide you with some ideas to get your teen talking.

Parenting children, especially teens, requires patience and creativity. One way to get your teen taking is to use open-ended statements and questions. For example:

“So, you’re getting a “D” in math and, uh…” “So, tonight you are going… Continue Reading

Teens normally come to their parents when they need to talk. Be patient. Your teen may appear to be rude, in a hurry or cut you short. This is not their intention. Be patient.

• Teens are not adults. You may from time to time have an adult conversation with your teen. Treasure this moment! Don’t expect it all the time.
• Teens often are more comfortable talking to their friends or peers than they are talking to adults; especially their parents. Again, nothing against you mom or dad, but kids their age are more fun to talk with. Be patient.
  Moody teens will avoid conversations with you.
• Happy teens may talk your ears off. You may have

Do you continually make comments that send your child on a guilt trip? Parents who strive to make their children feel guilty often succeed. The end result of making comments to make a child feel guilty often leads the child in the direction of low self-esteem, aggressive behavior, inappropriate social skills and other undesirable behaviors.

Some common comments may include:

“I feel embarrassed when you dress that way.”

“I feel bad when you talk to your mom more than me.”

“Other kids can help their parents…why not you?
Instead of making guilt-enhancing comments make to get your child to accomplish a task that you want done, ask or tell your child to complete the task. It’s better to be firm and authoritative then manipulative.
Pick… Continue Reading