Keep the lines of communication open with your child

Sep 13th, 2010No Comments

The most important thing to do as a parent is to keep the lines of communication open with your child.

When lines of communication are broken, it is usually due to the parent not wanting to know what is going on with the child. If they knew, the parent would have to think and reevaluate. It is easier to stay ignorant.

Dysfunctional families demand loyalty from their children. This is why some parents do not want to know what is going on in their child’s world; they are too busy making sure that the child is loyal to their world. When the child goes to school, they see that the rest of the world is not like their parents’ world. This creates a conflict as the child has to be one way with their family and another way with their friends.

But the child cannot continue this dual life for very long and ultimately has to choose a world to identify with. Since the parent has not kept the lines of communication open, the child’s needs are not being met by the family. Therefore, they usually choose their friends’ world. The child then feels like he or she has betrayed the family.

Healthy families are flexible. The parent(s) keep the lines of communication open. The family evolves as the personalities of the children develop. The parent(s) have to continually reevaluate what is best for everyone in the family. This requires courage and adaptability. What the family is about stays the same, but the form it takes is ever changing.

So parents ultimately have to decide. Do you demand your child to reside in your world? Or, are you willing to explore and embrace your child’s world?

, , , , , , , , , Clear Relationships
About author:

Michael Hoffman’s passion is guiding people to connect with their natural gifts. He believes that we all have innate gifts that hugely benefit others and the world when we offer them. The purest example of these gifts is the Native American concept of medicine or the gift you offer your people. Michael defines your medicine or gift as the natural effect you have on other people when your heart is open. Unfortunately, the demands of our current culture to comply and fit in often distract people away from their inherent gifts and the natural expression of their being. Michael believes many of us have forgotten our dreams and what we are about. This sadly results in a loss of purpose, passion, and vitality. As an innate gift specialist, Michael offers retreats, classes, and individual sessions to allow people to reclaim their natural gifts. These venues allow people to identify, awaken, and offer their gifts. This experiential work incorporates Zen thought, Native American ceremony, rites-of-passage, and releasing limiting belief systems. Michael also maintains his meta blog to provide knowledge, skills, and awareness for unfolding your natural gifts. He is currently compiling this knowledge and research into a college class and book. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1987 and Master of Social Work in 1996. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition to his formal education, Michael studied and apprenticed with a Zen Master and spiritual teacher for 22 years to learn how to guide people to understand themselves. He has worked with people professionally since 1986 as a psychotherapist and teacher. Michael currently resides in Oceanside, California.

All entries by

Leave a Reply