- Everyone admits that one of keys to keeping your kids out of trouble is listening to them. When your kids are talking to you, how do you listen? Is just "uh huh" or do you look at them and listen to what they are saying? Do you stop mixing your pot/washing the dishes/watching your favorite TV program, turn towards them and listen? It makes a difference. It makes a difference since your body language and facial expressions tell your child that what they are saying is important to you.
Some of the ways that you show you are not really listening – interrupting, fidgeting, shifting your eyes/no eye contact, yawning, writing everything down, finishing sentences, giving advice( which is really criticism) when it is not requested.
Are you listening in a judgmental way or are you listening with an open heart? Are you thinking about what you are trying to respond or are you listening with your heart and then getting inspired to respond to your child with what is right and not what you want to hear? Acknowledge their feelings, review some of the main points they mentioned. Do not respond in an accusatory tone.
Everyone listens faster than they can talk. People unfortunately, also have selective hearing; they hear what they want to hear and not what they heard. I have numerous times scheduled appointment with my children only to hear them say "but we didn't schedule it or I forgot/I am not around/ I have something else important to do". I have learned from that experience and always finalize the appointment by saying "OK , Julie, can you please repeat to me, "my appointment with the dentist is Tuesday, July 22 at 2:00 in the afternoon."
If you "practice" listening to your kids properly, it is only a small step to listening to your business partners in a professional manner that will be beneficial to all.
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