Conversations With Our Children.

Where does (effective) conversation with our children start?

Often times I sit and think about the children in my neighborhood. Some mornings, I see children walking alone to school, and other times, I see parents walking ahead of their children either talking or scrolling through their phone. As I sit in my car observing these things, I can’t help but think about how the child(ren) may be feeling.

Until my father’s very early and untimely death, he’d walk us to school every morning. Each morning my Dad ALWAYS had a conversation with me and my sisters. And after our pleasantly short walk to school, he always told us to “have a great day”. Now however simple those four words may mean to some, it meant a heck of a lot to my sisters and me. Still today, those memories are still fresh and vivid in my mind. And because of those walks and conversations, I continued that same practice with my own children.

I also believe conversations are best spent at dinner time. No one feels rushed; there are questions asked by parents and children, and sincere thoughts shared. Whatever happened to the family structure? Where have we dropped the ball to believe that family time is no longer important or necessary? It’s a pity that so many of us are missing out on what could be meaningful time with our loved ones, but it’s even more than that. Not eating together also has quantifiable negative effects both physically and psychologically. (Explaining this would be quite lengthy but I think we get the picture.)

In SOME instances why children act out in school has a lot to do with their home life. Where there is no foundation, a child has nothing to stand on. Having valued and constructive conversation with our children each day can also have great significance in teacher/student relationships.

So this evening, make a plan to have dinner with your family. It doesn’t matter if you’re a two parent household, a single mom or dad, or a grandparent raising your grands. Turn off the television, radio, and NO CELL PHONES allowed at the table! Ask your children how his or her day was. Don’t yell, scream, and talk down or at them. Talk to them— face to face. This is where effective conversations begin.