Talk “to” – not “at” — your child … through divorce and beyond
October is National Talk to Your Child Month. You wouldn’t think
one would need to create such a designation, advising parents to talk to their children. Unfortunately, many parents need just such a reminder — especially in today’s mega-paced culture in which just sitting down to a family dinner together seems to be a major accomplishment. Too often busy parents find themselves talking “at” their children, but not “to” them. And most especially, not “with” them.
This, of course, is problematic in any family trying to raise socially, emotionally and spiritually healthy children. However, it is especially dangerous if that family is facing the challenges of divorce or separation. If your parent-child communication skills and rapport is not optimal before discussions about divorce or family lifestyle changes come up, the likeliness of a peaceful, successful outcome is dramatically jeopardized.
For that reason, more than ever before, parents need to
