This is priceless. Communicating with our youngins is one of the most important things we do each and every day.  Communicating is not “fact gathering”…truly connecting is understanding what makes them tick, what excites them, upsets them ,and brings them hope.  Communicating is choosing to focus in on their facial expressions.  It’s studying the crease he gets between his eye brows when he’s stressed or the twinkle she gets in her eyes when she talks about her kitten.  Communication is fighting the urge to solve her teenage friendship problems, but instead allowing her to talk herself through her own solution.  It is teaching him to drive and being thankful for the laughter and screams you share together as he learns.  It’s believing he could play in the major leagues even on the days he can’t get out of the batter’s box.  It is believing she will someday make a house a home as you pick her socks up off the bathroom floor for the 100th time.  They would love for you to share your answers to these questions as well.  Remember, relationships are a two-way street and your children (yes, even your teens) want to know and understand you.  After all, though it may take a while for them to admit it, you are their hero and they want to feel connected to you and valuable to you.  Communicating is far more than fact finding…it is learning to throw a rope from your heart to theirs and then pull it in close.

I hope you will give it a shot…here’s a question for you to get you started… 

What is your favorite time of the day and why?

Post your answer as a comment.  I’d love to see what your kids have to say! 

My love,