Our children talk to us because they love and respect us. They want to share their lives with us. They want us to be interested in what they do and what they have to say.
But, unfortunately, too many times, we’re too busy being busy…doing whatever it is that we as adults are responsible for doing that we don’t take the time to listen to our children.
And being a good listener does take time.
It also takes discipline.
And patience.
Especially when you’re listening to a toddler or preschooler who is trying to figure our the mehanics of language. Or is so excited that it takes a while to get what they’re trying to say out. Or who wants to tell you the same story a hundred times over.
Listening involves more than just your ears.
Listening involves your eyes, your mind, and your heart as well.
Look in the eyes of your child as they are speaking to you.
Think and make the effort to try to understand what they are saying…what they are really saying.
Open your heart to the emotions they are feeling as they are talking to you.
It is important that we respond to our children’s feelings and listen to what they have to say.
Even when we are tired from a long day.
Even when we are overwhelmed with all of our responsibilities.
Even when we don’t have a minute to spare.
We may have to make extra effort to train ourselves to be better listeners.
But this effort will be more than worth the time and energy we put into it.
Because taking the time and making the effort to be a good listener will convey to our children that they are important to us, that we value their words and emotions and above all else, that they are loved!