Why Parents Should Listen to Their Child

  • By: admin
  • Date: October 6, 2021
  • Time to read: 5 min.

When I read this question on why parents should listen to their child I was thinking of all the little things I have learned by just letting my children talk to me. Then I realized that being a father of 4 children I have learned quickly that either through my child’s words or their silence, I have learned more about what is going on in their world than any other tool in my parenting toolbox.

Parents and children should have a good relationship in order for the child to grow up healthy and happy. The best way for parents to understand their children is by asking questions and listening without judgment. Parents must make time to listen because it is through listening that they can support their children’s needs. It is important for parents to be supportive of their kids in these difficult times, when they are trying new things or feel like giving up on themselves, but also when they succeed at something big. This article will discuss why it is so important for parents to listen instead of judge, how this affects the child’s well-being, and what you can do if you’re not currently getting along with your own parent(s) or child(ren).

The importance of listening instead of judging

Listening is the key to a successful and healthy relationship. The best way for parents to understand their children is by asking questions and listening without judgment. The judgment part is very hard for some….well probably all of us but some hide it better.

When we listen we create a trusting environment that allows people to feel safe and free to share. We also allow them to process their thoughts and emotions which can help them make better decisions. Listening lets us connect with others on a deeper level – this helps us form bonds with those around us, understand one another, and feel loved.

Listening also has many benefits for the parent as well as the child. It increases empathy and improves communication skills, which will help you in all relationships: personal and professional. There is no benefit to judging someone unless you want them to shut down. This is especially true with your children in their teen years. It will become very hard to reach them and for them to want to be reached. This is the key time to keep talking or in most cases get them talking. If they are speaking then you have a good chance to stay involved and able to help them when they need it. On the other hand, if they close up then you have some work to do. Letting them speak without you telling them they are wrong is a great start.

How this affects the child’s well-being

If a parent does not listen to their child, then they will have a hard time knowing how their child is feeling and what is going on in their life. Then the parents won’t be able to help them deal with problems or take away fears, instead they will just continue to build up until there is an explosion.

There are many things that can be accomplished when a child feels like they can trust their parent/guardian to talk with them about anything. When the child has someone they know will listen without judgment, it helps them deal with whatever problems they are facing. The child can then learn how to solve their problems on their own, or in some circumstances the parent might be able to step in and help.

I found it interested a few months ago because in my daughter’s high school class the question of if you made a mistake and were someplace and you had a drink when you were not supposed to who would you call. My daughter said she was the only person in class that said she would call her parents. Even the teacher said no we mean someone you can call when you can’t call your parents. She said she was confused on why she wouldn’t be able to call us because she has seen her older brother get himself into a few situations and call us. So she knew she could and it didn’t cross her mind that she needed a backup plan. So inside that made me smile even though you don’t want to think of your kids putting themselves in bad situations it’s good to know she thinks she can call you. In the end, she also added her brother to the list to appease the teacher.

What you can do if you’re not currently getting along with your own parent(s) or child(ren).

Parents/guardians should make sure when they are having a difficult time with their child that they sit down and talk to them about it. If these talks start to go south then they should find someone that is unbiased that they can talk with like a family member or close friend about their feelings.

The child needs to sit down and think about what the parent is saying and trying to communicate, maybe asking them for some advice on how to better handle themselves with their parents. They could also ask people they can trust to talk with them about what is going on with their parents so they have a second opinion or someone that says ” I know how you feel.”

If the child doesn’t speak up then the parent will continue to do what they are doing and there won’t be any change. If this continues for too long without speaking up then the child could develop some mental health issues or even do something they later on regret.

Parents should not ignore a child’s feelings, but give them the guidance they need in order to effectively deal with their problems. If you do not listen to your child, then you will have a hard time knowing how they are feeling and what is going on in their life. You won’t be able to help them deal with problems or take away fears. Instead of helping, you will just continue to build up until there is an explosion.

When a child has someone they know will listen without judgment, it helps them deal with whatever problems they are facing. The child can then learn how to solve their problems on their own or in some circumstances the parent might be able to step in and help.

Conclusion

If you’re a parent and want your child to grow up feeling loved, respected, and heard then it’s important that you make time for them. You can do this by listening carefully without judgment or preconceived notions about what they are going to say. Remembering the things we’ve done as children may help us realize how difficult some of those moments were on our parents, so take an empathetic approach when dealing with your own kids. If all else fails and there is still tension between yourself and your child then try to take a step back and just listen without any reply from you. Sometimes just letting them talk it through will help so much. Plus if they are talking even if they are saying things you don’t like there is still an opening for you. When they shut you out and refuse to talk anymore is when it gets tough.

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