Page 100 - The Intentional Parent

Short and sweet is better than long and boring.
I need to practice saying helpful things to my child without second guessing my competence.
Carrying on a conversation by asking questions can place my child in charge and undermine my leadership position.
Carrying on a conversation by asking questions can sound like an interrogation and help my child practice tuning me out.
I can acknowledge that change can be difficult but express confidence that my child is up to the task.
Turning Intention Into Action
I have learned a few tricks about communicating important information to children.
Communicate when they are motivated to listen
For kids who are always jockeying for a few minutes more of time before they have to go to bed, offer to talk to them about something important. This is a win-win for parents. Either they are going to go to bed, because talking is torture, or they are going to listen to what you have to say. If they don’t want to talk simply say, OK. I have something I need to tell you and then you can go to bed.
Children do not communicate well when they are playing video games. Don’t even try. However, set a limit by saying, “We have to
The Intentional Parent by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D. 100