Communication
Fewer than half of all sixth graders describe their family communication as positive. Worse yet, only 22% of high school seniors do. What would your kids say?
Most tweens and teens regretfully report that there are things about which they can’t talk with their parents, either because their parents won’t listen, won’t understand, or will over-react.
But believe it or not, there are parents whose kids who talk to them, and even ask their advice -- including teenagers! This web site is dedicated to the possibility that you could be one of those parents.
Because, let's face it, your ability to parent depends on knowing what’s happening in your child’s life, and being able to influence her. And that derives directly from the depth of communication you share. Deep communication is only possible if you find ways to talk about the hard stuff, so that she feels comfortable sharing with you.
But forget about having the “Big Talk,” whether about sex or anything else. Few subjects worth discussing with your child can be covered in one conversation. A rich family life means you talk about anything and everything, all the time. These discussions go on a little bit at a time, daily, for your child’s entire childhood, evolving as she does.
Start Here:
How to Get Your Child to LISTEN!
One of the most common questions I hear from parents is: How can I get my kid to LISTEN to me?
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255 Conversation Starters for Family Discussions
"We're going camping on vacation and I'd love to have some meaningful family discussions while we hike, but I don't even know where to begin to get the kids to open up and talk."
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Want your child to talk to you? Become a brilliant listener!
"What did you do in school today?"
"Nothing."
Parents often ask what they can say to get their child talking. The secret isn't about what you say. It's about how you listen.
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Can Your Child Trust You?
If they can trust you with the little stuff, they’ll come to you with the big stuff.
How to Turn Tough Conversations Into Learning Opportunities
Almost from the time our kids can talk, there are conflicts we need to work through with them:
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Secrets of Closer Communication
Read More"By far the most important form of attention we can give our loved ones is listening... True listening is love in action."
-M. Scott Peck
Foolproof Strategies for Getting Kids to Talk
Read More"Most families tend to rush through dinner, especially the kids. They can't wait to get back to their computers and cell phones and iPods. But they'll stick around if the conversation is interesting. And the biggest determinant is YOU. If you see yourself and your life as a crashing bore, your kids will see the same thing. But if you see your life as an endless succession of miraculous and fascinating events, your kids will be transformed by it."
-Shmuley Boteach
How (and When) To Apologize To Your Child
Most parents find themselves insisting that their child apologize to a sibling, friend or adult on a regular basis. And yet when we mess up with our child, we often resist apologizing.
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Karina
Dr. Laura is a parent whisperer! - Liz McIntosh
Liz McIntosh
Dr. Laura's parenting advice completely changed my relationship with my daughter, improved her self-esteem, and transformed our lives. Providing my daughter with acknowledgement of her feelings and point of view reduced her oppositional behaviors and emotional meltdowns to nearly none. - Jodie Tokatlian
Dr. Laura, you have created miracles, large and small, in so many lives and our children thank you.
Folks, she's brilliant. It's wonderful to have parenting experts who don't see the child as the enemy in a locked combat, for one thing. I recommend it.
"I'd really recommend Laura Markham's Aha! parenting books and website for brilliantly practical ways to parent with kindness instead of punishment." - Makchoon
Makchoon
I have seen amazing improvement in my *very* angry 17 year-old son after acknowledging that there was a reason he was so angry and acting out. We have had several heartfelt conversations and I have seen a real change in how he treats his younger brother, and how he treats me.
I know that I am a better parent thanks to Dr. Laura's inspirational words and suggestions.
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Chantal Harrison
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Andrei
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Lisa Fernandez
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Jennifer B
Yes. It works. And the more rest I get, the more patience I have. It makes a difference.
Dear Dr. Laura Markham! I am a mother of 2 boys - 16 and 7 years old. I am extremely grateful for all the emotional and relational education that you provide us and also for your incredible loving energy to support our evolution as parents, as human beings. I took your course 3 years ago. Although the challenges of the parent-child relationship change almost every year, your parenting principles are equally valuable and effective. It's hard to reprogram the emotional-behavioral pattern learned in my own childhood... so I find it very helpful to go back to your teachings to regain trust and patience as a parent every time new challenges trigger my anxiety. To have more clarity, to reset my energy. Thank you!!
Janina-Madalina Dobrescu
Your philosophies are the only tools we've come across which offer practical advice grounded in clearly laid out lay terminology. Our family life day-to-day is nothing short of a miracle, thanks to you! - Dana Questad
Dana Questad
