Being there for your kids - New Skill? Practice, practice, practice

Episode Date: August 20, 2019

When our natural tendencies as parents are to yell, lecture, and pull a power play, it can be hard to spot an emotional fever, and harder still to use active listening as your go-to parenting tool in that situation. As awkward and uncomfortable you are when you first try to active listen your child, keep at it. Even better, own up to your efforts to change your approach to parenting and ask for feedback from her. She will get a kick out of helping you out. Shoe on the other foot kind of thing. Practice, practice, practice, and you'll get the hang of this active listening. Trading in power plays for greater emotional intimacy is well worth it. We all have teachable moments, don't we?

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. You know, there's an old adage that says, anything worth doing is worth doing well. Add to this adage the benefit of practicing a new skill consistently over time, and you get effective, active listening. Mary just had read my book, Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting. She even convinced her husband Andy to take the parenting class with her, where this was the resource book.

Eight-year-old Amy, their oldest daughter, was their test. subject in practicing the parenting tool of active listening. Mommy, I don't get this times table stuff. Can you help me? She asked one night while doing her homework. Mary put up her book and went to Amy's bedroom. What don't you get, dear? She asked. Everything. Math is dumb. Amy threw her homework down and sprawled across her bed, covering her head under her pillow. Mary sat on Amy's bed beside her distraught daughter and concluded, well, that's not going to get your homework done. Let's try again. Amy groused.

Leave me alone. As she recovered her head with her pillow, Amy sighed and paused. She reached over to gently rub Amy's back and softly spoke. Well, sweetheart, I guess I just blew that one, huh? Amy uncovered her head from the pillow and turned on her elbow, looking puzzled at her mom's comment. Mary cradled her daughter's cheek with her palm.

You know, darling, your dad and I are taking this class to help us try to better be there for you guys. She paused and continued, I think I just blew a chance to active listen your feelings. Can I try again? Amy nodded and folded herself into her mom's arms. Mary thought for a moment and said, You're really frustrated that the times table is hard to understand, aren't you?

Yeah, and it's not fair, Amy pouted. You're not sure how to go about trying to get it right? No, it's too hard. Okay, I have some thoughts that might help you get it right. Do you want to hear them? Amy eagerly agreed, and the two of them tackled the homework together, with Mary guiding her daughter's efforts. My dad used to always tell me, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Good counsel, especially for your efforts to active listen to your children.

Kids are very forgiving if you are sincere with your efforts, and if you include them in the process. After Amy successfully finished her times table homework with mom's guidance, Mary asked, So, how did I do with active listening in your feelings? You know, my bossing you around just pulled you further away from me. When I active listened, was it more helpful to you? It's okay doing this kind of debriefing after a conversation with your child. Their feedback will help you in your skill building. If it doesn't go well the first time, back up, take a breath, and try again.

You're learning something new, so practice and give it time. In doing so, you are providing a teachable moment for both you and your child. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed to clinical psychologist and Christian author of the book Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting. And this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting is available online at AmazonBooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMC-P-I-N-C.com.