Page 50 - DinQ 222 July 2021

┼ ┼

child might go ahead without your input

Kids/Parents Corner
in the meantime.
If your child has some specific issues
a
l
l

T T
a
g
n
g
n
i
k
k
i
Talking to
t
t
o
Talking to he wants your help with and you’re not
o

sure how to advise him, say so. Offer to
work with your child to find out what he
needs to know – for example, about con-
your teenage child traception, sexuality, alcohol and so on.
If your child wants your help with a
It’s normal to feel uncomfortable talking And when you’ve had a chance to tricky situation, a problem-solving ap-
to your teenage child about topics like think about these topics, it’s also a proach can help you work together to
sex or drugs. But difficult conversations good idea to raise them before your find a solution.
can give you the chance to guide your child asks. For example, early conver-
If your child wants your opinion, let
child towards sensible and responsible sations about things like sexting can
your child know how you see the situa-
decisions and to talk about your family help keep your child safe.
values. tion rather than telling her what to do.
Here are some tips to help you For example, ‘I would prefer it if you
c
l
f
i
f
s
a
r
n
u
c
e
i
t

:
t
Difficult conversations: the basics manage difficult conversations. don’t have sex until you’re older. But if
h
D D
v
s
i
n
e
s
s

i
b
c

t
o
a
o
o
c
n
v
i
s

c
e
t
i
h

e
Difficult conversations: the basicss
:
n
s
o
t

a
c
r
i
l
u
a
t
b
i
f
f
s
you’re going to, let’s talk about making
፡
c
a
s
c
a
r
r
e
e
i
Difficult conversations cover any First reactions፡ Try to stay calm. sure it’s safe’.
o
o
i
n
t
n
t
r
r
s

F F
First reactionss፡፡
i
i
s
t
t

topic that might be embarrassing, upset- Be honest if you’re shocked by the
w
o
a
u
n
h
When your child won’t talkk
d
n
o
When your child won’t talk
h
ting or controversial for either you or topic, but reassure your child that you W W h e e n y y o u r r c c h i i l l d w o n ’ ’ t t t t a l l k
your child. It could also be something do want to discuss the issue. This can
that might cause an argument or a con- help your child feel he can talk to you It’s common for teenagers to avoid
talking about embarrassing or upsetting
flict between the two of you. about anything.
topics, especially if you raise them first.
Sex, sexual orientation, alcohol or Make sure the first thing you say Sometimes you might not even realise a
other drugs, academic difficulties, self- to your child is something that lets her topic is upsetting or embarrassing until
harm, secrets, work and money are all know you’re happy that she wants to you raise it.
topics that families can find difficult to talk to you. For example, ‘I’m so happy
talk about. that you trust me to help you with this’. If your child doesn’t want to have
difficult conversations with you, you
It’s normal to feel uncomfortable Listen to your child. This means could try the following:
discussing these things. But being pre- giving your child a chance to talk
pared can help you feel more confident through what’s going on, without you Try to set aside some time each day
and comfortable to tackle difficult con- trying to fix the situation. Often, to talk with your child. Ask him open-
ended questions, and let him know that if
versations. teenagers aren’t expecting you to fix
things – they just want you to listen. he does want to talk, you’re happy to lis-
v
v
n
e
i
o
t
i
n
s
o
n
r
s
e
r
a
t
s
a
n
a
a
i
i
a
f
n
n
Managing difficult conversationss
u
u
l
l
Managing difficult conversations ten. This will help you stay connected with
M M
c
c
f

g
g
d
d
i
i
n
f
g
a
g
i
n
i
f

t
t
o
o
c
c
Avoid being critical or judgmental, your child and might help him feel more
There are no scripts for difficult or getting emotional. If you need to let comfortable to come to you in future.
conversations and tricky topics. off steam, choose another adult to talk
to when your child isn’t around. Keep up to date with your child’s
But it’s a good idea to think about interests. This gives you things to talk
these topics before your child asks. If Thank your child for coming to you. about and shows that you’re interested in
you work out a few key points about your child’s wellbeing.
፡
x
t
x
s
N N

t
Next stepss፡፡
s
e
e
s
t
t
e
p
p

e

sex, alcohol, parties and so on before- Next steps፡ If you need a bit of
time to calm down or gather your If your child won’t talk to you, it
hand – and even practise them – you
might not be caught so off guard when thoughts before you talk, set a time to might help to find another adult she can
your child asks a tricky question about talk later. Make sure it’s soon – don’t talk to. You could suggest a relative,
wait until the next day. The longer teacher, counsellor or neighbour. But tell
sex while you’re driving!
you wait, the harder it will be. Your your child that you’re happy to listen any
time she wants to talk to you.

“ኢትዮጵያ ለዘላለም ትኑር ” ድንቅ መጽሔት ሚያዝያ 2013

“

”

መ

ሔ

ት
ጽ

ያ

ሚ

ድ
ቅ
ዝ

ን

““ኢትዮጵያያ ለዘላለምም ትኑርር ” ድንቅቅ መጽሔትት ሚያዝያያ 20133

ለ
ት

ም

ላ

ዘ

”

ኑ

ር

ኢ

ት

ጵ

ለ
ያ

ዮ

ያ
ሚ
ዝ
50 “ኢትዮጵያ በክብር ለዘላለም ትኑር” ድንቅ መጽሔት ሃምሌ 2021 ያ 2 2 0 0 1 1 3

ዮ

ድ
ጵ

ኢ

ት
ጽ
መ
ት
ኑ
ሔ
ለ
ን
ለ
ዘ

ላ

┼ ┼