Opening the line to a healthy communication

Los Angeles Harbor City College student Brenda Soriano, left, converses with her parents Edilbertha Martinez and Victor Soriano during dinner in their apartment in Gardena on September 7, 2017. (MCT)

Healthy communication is the lifeline that binds the relationship between parent and child. From infancy to adulthood, having confidence that both you and your child have an open line of communication in times of laughter and tears can only make love stronger. It is hard but it can be done.

BE AVAILABLE
Being available is not only about providing for the basics. Be present in your child’s life; a parent can’t be lazy about it. This will nurture your friendship with them. Have them know that you have time for them and you have fun doing it because when your kids can always rely on you, it creates that attachment that they will not find anywhere else.

HAVE AN OPEN EAR
Parents often have a tendency to be in the “I’m the parent mode” which often results in having a know-it-all mentality. This is the quickest way to shut your child out. As parents, we only want the best for our children and wanting the best for them entails listening to them because it encourages children to open up. This helps your child speak to you without guile.

DO NOT WALK WITH YOUR EMOTIONS
Do not let your emotions dictate how you should treat your child today. Feeling stressed at work? Are you tired? Did you forget an important meeting? Whatever circumstance you are going through, do not unload on your child because they don’t deserve it. Our emotions can be very tricky. It makes us feel entitled and selfish. Whatever our circumstances may be, keep your child out of it and be the better person always.

ENCOURAGE
Help your children find a hobby, a sport, a passion. Create a routine to help your child succeed. Your child may not know it but it can be something that she/he will like. When you encourage, you lift the spirit and confidence of your child. If, through the process, they find that a particular hobby, sport, or passion is not for them, that’s alright. You helped them find out. This gives you another chance to go and reinforce them again with other things.

BE INTENTIONAL
A biblical quote says: “Train a child in the way he/she should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Be intentional in how you raise your child. Think of the character that you want your child to have. Guide them with thoughtful choices and get them involved. This will nurture healthy communication.