The 9 Unbreakable Rules of Effective Communication

The 9 Unbreakable Rules of Effective Communication

We would like to assume that the breakdown in communication between mother and child starts with the beginning of puberty, but this is not actually the case. Your children start trying to communicate their wants, needs, feelings, and thoughts to you as soon as they are old enough to talk. The following advice is useful for any mother who is trying to communicate with her children, whether they are little children or teenagers. It all started, you'll agree, when you were attempting to make sense of what your kid was saying, right? But take it from me, this stuff is effective. If you put these principles of engagement into practice with your children, you will see a dramatic improvement in the quality of your connections with them, and your day-to-day life will seem like it has been vastly improved.

1. Pay attention

If it's at all possible, get rid of any and all distractions. In order to have successful communication, creating an atmosphere that encourages listening is of the utmost importance. Your child should get the impression that they have your complete attention, and you should do your best to give yourself the same impression. It is not always going to be possible for you to exercise control over the volume level in your surroundings. You still have the option of moving yourself and your kid to a location with more peace and quiet.

2. Keep your options open

Believe me when I say that if you come to the table with preconceived views and judgments, your child will pick up on them instinctually, and the relationship between the two of you will immediately worsen. Enter the discussion with an open mind so that you may truly hear and comprehend what it is that your youngster is attempting to convey to you. This does not imply that you are required to agree with them or give in; rather, it just indicates that you have made room for them to communicate freely.

3. Confirm your assumptions

Everyone wants to be told that their thoughts, ideas, and feelings are valuable and essential to others. Therefore, while your child is communicating with you or expressing themselves to you, it is important to take a moment to repeat what they have said to you and then inquire of them, "Did I get that right?" Then, based on what they've said, describe some of the feelings that may be lurking beneath the surface for them. The same advice holds true whether you are attempting to console a sobbing infant or toddler. Tell them that you understand why they're unhappy, that you would like them to be happy again, and that you are confident that everything will be all right. It is vitally important to your child's development of self-confidence and self-esteem that his or her sentiments be acknowledged and validated.

4. Reach a middle ground

It is a common misconception that reaching a compromise must always take the form of a tug-of-war. After each of you has listened to the other's point of view and communicated with kindness, suggest to your child some methods by which you might negotiate so that both of your needs can, if at all possible, be satisfied. There may be many occasions in which, as a good parent, you will be in a position in which you should refuse to provide any of the things that your child has requested. You might, as an alternative, provide them with some options that are not only safe but also nutritious and appropriate to pick and select from. 

In exchange, you should ask your child to make a commitment to meeting some of your requirements. This is especially relevant to discussions that mothers have with their children while they are in their adolescent years. When they are in their teens, most people struggle with their sense of self and independence. Find a happy medium between fully comprehending your child's needs and being able to negotiate without sacrificing your parental responsibilities. You are free to set your child's level of autonomy in decision-making to correspond with their level of development as an individual.

5. Languages of the Body

Even the most hardened criminal can be brought to tears by a mother's expressions and gestures. Children immediately develop an acute awareness of the disapproving or disappointed expressions on their mother's face. Be careful to maintain an upbeat and friendly body language during the chat if you want things to go smoothly. When you are talking to your children, you should always make sure to look them in the eye. It demonstrates that you are serious about what you are saying, in addition to teaching effective communication habits. 

Crossing your arms and legs sends a strong message that you are being protective and unyielding, so try to avoid doing so. If you want your children to know that you are paying attention to what they are saying, the best way to show them this is to sit up straight and look interested. And whatever you do, especially if you want to avoid the boomerang effect, do not roll your eyes. Please. Children will model their responses to stressful situations after how their parents handle their own. Therefore, mothers, when talking to their children, should be cautious and aware of how their body language comes across.

6. Tone

Screaming at your children has the effect of turning them off and shutting down their responses. If they are exposed to it in their own environment, they will take it with them wherever they go. Keep your volume at a comfortable level during difficult conversations so that you can serve as a model for healthy behavior for others. This will demonstrate to your child that you are in control of the situation and are not reacting to it. Your manner of speech not only determines the tenor of the discussion but also has an effect on the way your children will relate to other people and behave in public. Therefore, it is important to communicate with your child in the same way that you would like them to communicate with others: with love and respect.

7. A mental stance 

A person with a negative attitude is not someone anyone wants to interact with. Your children will experience the same thing. If they perceive that you have a negative attitude or can feel tension in the room, they will not want to have a conversation with you. First, you should make an effort to let go of any unfavorable thoughts and feelings associated with the circumstances so that you may talk and listen with a clear head and a loving heart.

8. Being truthful 

Teach your children the importance of honesty by modeling it for them. Aside from that, it seems that your kid has a far better memory than you do! If you are going to commit to something, you need to ensure that you can fulfill your side of the deal. When you are dishonest with your children, you are teaching them to be dishonest not only with you but also with other people, and you are setting a bad example for them. It is important for mothers and their children to always be honest with one another. In this situation, you need to apply your best judgment. From the moment they take their first breath of air, children place their utmost faith and trust in their mothers above all other people on the face of the globe. Your role as a mother requires you to use caution while dealing with your child's trust and confidence in you. When it is broken on your part, they will seek out ways to heal the harm, even if those ways are not productive or safe. They will do this because they want it to be fixed.

9. Approach with an attitude of love

When you speak to someone from a place of love, that love will be felt by them, and they will be more open to what you have to say. Everyone has a fundamental need to be loved and to experience love. Always make an effort to speak and act with kindness and consideration for others. People, in general, are quick to react to new situations. If someone is showing love to us, we will reciprocate their feelings and be receptive to having constructive conversations with that person.