You may not be communicating with your child as much as you think you are, especially as they get older. Sure, you remind them about homework and make sure they’re in bed on time, but when was the last time you had a conversation with your child that didn’t revolve around day-to-day tasks? When life gets busy, it’s easy to let thorough, honest communication fall to the wayside. Here are some tips for communicating with your child more consistently, even when you’re busy!
Use conversation questions at home
From online lists of family conversation starters to packs of cards with questions, it isn’t hard to find family-friendly conversation starters! These conversation starters are a great way to quickly learn something new about everyone at the table. Some may seem unimportant, like what everyone’s favorite kind of candy is, they are great for keeping conversations going. A great conversation starter you can use every night is asking everyone what the best part of their day was! Feel free to think outside the box, or even make your own deck of cards full of conversation starters.
Talk during activities
Doing dishes or folding laundry together may not seem like the best time to start a conversation with your child, but it is during these mundane tasks that you have so many opportunities to connect! Because you’re participating in a shared activity and not directly looking at each other, the pressure to talk is lower, making it easier to just let the conversation flow. These little moments can lead to big ones, so next time you’re doing something with your child around the house, try to ask a few questions and let the conversation go!
Don’t be afraid of apps
Many parents have concerns about using phone apps to communicate with their children more than talking face-to-face, but apps can be a way to communicate with your child no matter how busy your day is! From simply messaging each other to using apps like Marco-Polo to send videos, apps facilitate communication even when you can’t be physically present. Apps like these can be especially helpful for communicating with teens who may seem closed off or have difficulty communicating with you directly. While technology can’t replace the value of face-to-face communication, it’s a great way to stay in touch when your schedules don’t allow for much quality time together!
Communicating with your child is important, even in the busiest seasons of life. With these tips in mind, you can make the most of the time you do have to communicate with your child!
