Looking forward to reconnecting with your busy kids this festive season? This time of year can be a fantastic time to explore those deep conversations. However, it is no surprise that this time of year can be stressful, which means tensions can rise and arguments can happen. So how can you make sure that conversations run smoothly and feel productive with kids and young adults this festive season?

Here are five pitfalls to avoid:

Don’t Ask ‘How’s School’?

For kids and teens, this is a real conversation-buster. School encompasses so many aspects, from friends, relationships, many lessons, teachers and activities. It is no surprise that such a general question can seem overwhelming or pointless to a child.
How can they share their whole experience into one answer?

Don’t Be Distracted When Talking 

Checking your emails and sorting out siblings while having a deep and meaningful conversation will instantly show your child that you don’t have time to listen to them. In this blog post, I share a tip about having conversations in the gaps, but even then, the priority should be on the child and focusing on your active listening.

Don’t Forget Your Own Emotions

The festive period can be a stressful time for you. If you want a deep conversation with your child, it is wise to check in on your own mood before launching in. This can stop strong reactions and may prevent tempers from fraying. Similarly, if you are drinking alcohol, remember this may affect what you’re saying, so it’s wise to be mindful. 

Don’t Close Off Their Passions

This time of year can be a great way to learn more about your child, the things they love, what they believe in, stand up for.  You may disagree, but conversations will flow best when you show interest in them rather than close them off. Don’t dismiss their interests either. It may seem that all they care about is video games but dig deeper. 

• What skills do they use for the game?
• Why is it exciting?
• How does it spark their imagination?

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask The Experts

Parent-child communication can be really challenging for a variety of reasons. If you need support in facilitating great conversations, Flourished Minds is here to help. Hit reply with your questions or book your free consultation here.

If you’re looking for more tips on fostering fantastic conversations with your kids this festive season, check out this blog post for three ways to improve your parent-child conversations.