Parenting Article- Talking to your Child

I believe in doing things with your child to bond with them. Especially fun activities. This gives them good memories. Additionally, when you are doing a fun activity with your child you can talk about what's going on with them at school in a non-threatening environment. You can also ask questions about what is going on in their life in general. A threatening environment might be during homework. You usually nag them about homework during this time. If you ask why they are slacking off on their homework lately during homework time I believe the answer to this question will not give you as much information as you need then if you asked it at another time in a non-threatening environment.

Let's say you want to ask this question to your child, "So how are doing making up with your friend?" It is better to ask it when your child is relaxed, not when they are busy reading, just got home from a hard day at school, or had a bad day at soccer practice. Today do something with your child or teen (if they aren't already busy.) Surprise them with a trip to the ice cream store. Walk there and talk about things. Find out what's happening in your child's life. Get the low down, it makes you more informed. If you find out they are having trouble with the other kids at school this might be the reason they have stopped doing their homework or don't care about school anymore.