This post include 8 awesome tips on communicating with kids. My 3.5 year old often makes requests, then quickly loses patience with my not meeting his request fast enough. Sound familiar? As you know, I work really hard to be a positive parent and to respect my children and their developing selves. I have to tell you, though, I have a tough time with this one. I feel frustrated and lose patience myself.
How many times can a child ask the same question in a period of 30 seconds?
So, in order to avoid losing myself in a warp of sarcasm (by me) and confusion (by my child), I worked hard to think about responses to mitigate my annoyance. Here are a few Golden Responses for the Impatient Child. I'll use a request for food.
8 Secrets to Communicating with Kids
- Acknowledgement: Bend down to his level or walk over to him, look into his eyes, and say, ‘I'm sorry that you think I cannot hear you, but I can hear you. Your toast is almost ready.'
- Involvement: Ask if he wants to help prepare his snack.
- Empathy: Say to him, ‘You're ready for your toast, huh? You must be hungry. It is hard waiting when you're so hungry, isn't it?'
- Observation Statements: “I have your apple. I am getting out the slicer now. I am slicing your apple. I am getting out the peanut butter…”
- Repeat: “Oh, you want apple slices and peanut butter. I understand.”
- Guidance: Offer to show him where to get an activity out while he waits for his snack
- Check-In: “I already answered your question. Did you not hear my answer?”
- Acknowledgement through a question: I love this one borrowed from my RIE/Mindful Parenting FB group:
- “Mumma, I want some milk.”
- “Ok, I'd love to pour a glass for you.”
- “Mumma, I want some milk.”
- “Do you want some milk?”
- “Yes.”