Small Talk: No Rocket Science Required

Improving communications with your kids is not rocket science. Talk to them. Kids are adults in the making; they can handle good, quality conversation. Many times I'm asked about my strategy or secret to relating to young people and my question back is always, 'how do you relate to everyone else in your life?' There's not a big difference. I don't create a separate set of communication rules for kids or teens versus my adult peers. The themes may be different, and the vocabulary and inferences are very different most times; but the principles of relating and interaction--the same. What I have discovered is that a child will conform to whatever rules you set. If you talk down to them, they won’t think to rise up; if you challenge them, they’ll fight to understand and keep up with you. If you question them and provoke them to think and consider—they’ll do just that. No rocket science required. Don’t buy into a culture of distance and coldness when it comes to you and your kids. Keep the lines of communication open, sincere and honest and be intentional about having meaningful conversation with them. Commit to engaging with your children in a significant way and watch the entire dynamic of your relationship change. ​