Do YOU listen to your child?

When in ANY challenging situation with your child, let your default parenting response be to LISTEN (instead of trying to find a way to get your child to listen). Did you know Gentle Parenting is eighty percent LISTENING? 

When your child cries, LISTEN to the feelings. 

When your child screams 'I hate you', LISTEN to the upset. 

When your child back-talks, LISTEN to the grievance. 

When your child is being difficult, 'LISTEN' for unmet needs. 

It's easier for your child to access her intrinsic goodness and the values that are modeled when she feels HEARD and connected, and when the stumbling blocks (anger, hard feelings) are out of the way. 

It's only by listening will you know why your child is upset, how to resolve her needs and help her with her feelings (and hence behavior). 

Save your words so they have the most impact. 

What is listening? 

1. Paying attention to what's being communicated (or not) 
2. Welcoming feelings 
3. Empathy and acknowledging feelings ("You badly want that cookie. I hear you.") 
4. Asking questions ("What are you feeling now?") 5. Getting curious about unmet needs 
6. Tuning in to your child's perspective and experience 
7. Special Time 
8. Play and silliness 

For more on listening, see this: https://gentlerespectfulparenting.blogspot.com/2020/10/listening.html

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