As a parent, you can tell how hard it is to get your kids to listen to your advice. If they do hear your advice, it isn’t easy to make them follow that advice. It is evident that every parent wants a better career for their children. But there is a complex mechanism that disallows us from conveying the message to kids. And if conveyed, they don’t get to follow it.
If you are in a perplexing situation where your kids do not listen to your advice – or do not follow them – perhaps it is a great time to reassess the ways you communicate with your kids. More often than not, parents fail to communicate with their kids effectively. As a result, they don’t either listen to it in the first place. Or, if they do listen, they don’t put that advice into practicality.
That is why it is crucial for parents to adopt efficient ways to communicate with their kids. Below are four efficient ways that every parent should follow while advising their kids:
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Make Every Advice Linked With Your Own Stories
Children love stories. Your perspective becomes more appealing and efficient if you communicate your central point with practical illustrations. It is pertinent to note that the stories should be your own and must be realistic.
For example, an efficient way of advising your kid would be like a parent saying: “Well, I was in the same position when I was of your age. I thought to myself about its ins and outs and figured out the consequences. Based on that, I made this specific decision. Now, it is up to you to ponder this matter and decide on your own.”
When you tally a certain situation with your own life story, your children will relate to it. They will most likely prefer following your footprints.
2. Soften Up Your Tone
Another major hindrance between kids and parents is the tone. Do you think the “Authoritative Tone” that you speak in is efficient and will have a good impression on your kids? Well, think again.
Actually, it has the opposite outcome. According to Harvard research, advice that is given in an authoritative and commanding tone is 80% less efficient than a logical one.
To often up, you can include phrases like: “I am not exactly sure, but I think it is a good idea to do it (the specific task) this way. Or, you can ask phrases like: “How does this idea sound? What do you think of this idea? And I guess this would be a sensible decision. What would you suggest?”
This way, not only will your advice become effective, you will also develop a friendly relationship with your kids. Consequently, they feel at home in coming up to you with their problems.
3. Be Logically Persuasive
Another major issue with typical parent advice is the lack of logic. Your suggestion makes no sense to your kids if it lacks logic and persuasion. So, an efficient way could be to be logical and persuasive. You can put the ground realities and consequences in front of your kids and direct them towards a certain action. It is a tried and trusted way to get your kid to listen and follow your advice.
4. Follow the “Answering a Question by Another Question” Formula
This is a creative one: If your kids come up to you for advice, answer them with a counter-question. For example, if your kid asks: “Dad, which dress should I wear this Sunday?” You can reply with a counter-question: “Where are you looking to spend this weekend? Or, what are you up to today?”
This will let your kids make independent decisions. Simultaneously, it will help them in making logical decisions in their lives.