Dr Lachlan Soper on Improving Communication With Your Kids | Sydney, Australia
If you have kids, it’s only natural that you’re going to talk with them. Ask how their day was, how their friends are doing, how they like school, and so on. However, sometimes, you may find that something’s off with them, whether that’s something at school or just teenage angst. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a line of open communication with your kids, they won’t come to you. You may also feel powerless when wondering how and where to begin to craft a better line of communication. Below are some tips to keep in mind that will help improve your communication with your kids .
Listen fully- with your body as well as your hearing
Children take into account every part of a person’s state of being, and more often than not, they feel more loved if you’re listening to them fully. When a child comes to you to talk, put down your phone, or turn away from your computer. Give your child your full attention, whether that’s just turning to face them, sitting with them on the couch, or even just making eye contact. Helping your child feel heard is an important part of establishing a good line of communication.
Pay attention to unspoken emotions
Kids don’t necessarily have the words to express all of their feelings and emotions, but their body language can speak volumes. Instead of getting angry or frustrated that your child is either shutting down or getting upset, repeat back what they’re telling you. This shows that you value the emotions that they’re feeling because, more often than not, kids feel like their emotions aren’t being taken seriously. Reflective statements show that you’re paying attention to both what they’re saying as well as the emotions that they’re feeling, and it will open the door for further conversation.
Have empathy for your child’s feelings / validate their feelings
Empathy is one of the most powerful tools that you can use to craft a better relationship with your child. This allows you to not only try and understand your child but also validate their feelings. Acknowledging feelings of anger, frustration, or disappointment can help immensely when your child has a problem. Sometimes, all they need is a person who listens and validates their feelings. They just need to understand that they’re not alone.
Originally published at https://lachlansoper.org.au.
ABOUT DR LACHLAN SOPER
Dr. Lachlan Soper is a General Practitioner at Avenue Road Medical Practice, based in Mosman, Sydney, Australia. He graduated from medicine in 2000 and attained his FRACGP (Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) in 2006. Lachlan Soper has worked in general practice since 2004. He began working in Muswellbrook, then shifted to Dee Why, then North Sydney and, finally, back to Muswellbrook, where he was a partner at the Brook Medical Centre until mid-2017.
Lachlan Soper enjoys the full spectrum of general practice from newborns, through their parents, to those in their more senior years. He believes the true reward in general practice lies in the unique opportunity it affords you for continuity of care throughout many generations and over many years, as what patients would refer to as “my family GP”.
Lachlan Soper has a special interest in minor operations such as skin cancer excisions, repairing skin lacerations, removal of foreign bodies, Implanon contraceptive insertion etc and sporting injuries. He particularly enjoys the mix that he has in sub-acute, chronic, and family care at the local surgery, combined with his rural hospital work which keeps his skills sharp at the pointy end of medicine.