5 Ways to Give Your Children a Voice – By Rachel Macy Stafford

5 Ways to Give Your Children a Voice

1. Stop moving and stop doing when they speak to you

By looking up from the task at hand and looking into your children’s eyes, you are indicating you value their thoughts, no matter how trivial. This provides both a foundation and an invitation for more difficult conversations as they grow.

* Tip: If your days are full and you cannot give your undivided attention whenever your child speaks, make sure there is a time of day when you can be ALL there. Maybe it is at bedtime or right afterschool.

When my older daughter was 3 she began asking for “talk time” at night. It involved ten minutes of her asking innocent questions and telling me trivial things and me giving her my undivided attention.

She is now 12 and we still have “talk time” every night. As one would expect, the questions and topics have become more serious, and I am grateful to be part of the conversation.

2. Respect their words.

Maybe it takes time for them to put their thoughts into words. It’s okay; you don’t have to finish their sentences—they will come. Maybe their opinion is completely nuts. It’s okay; you don’t have to agree. Maybe they remember something differently than the way you do. It’s okay; you don’t have to be “right”. By giving them the time and space to share what’s on their hearts, you are strengthening their voice.

3. Let them speak for themselves whenever possible.

When my children have something they want to tell the coach, the waiter, or the sales clerk, I first let them practice what they want to say and then they are encouraged to speak for themselves.

I will never forget when we were sitting at my child’s fifth grade parent/teacher conference and the teacher asked if we had any concerns. My daughter quietly spoke up to say she loved helping her classmates but there was one student who made her feel very uncomfortable.

The teacher said, “I hear you. I understand.” I was relieved that my child was able to express this feeling of unease in an effort to protect herself. I commend the teacher for validating my daughter’s feelings by her supportive response.

4. Let them be the expert of something.

When my younger daughter was 4, I could not locate my car in a mall parking lot and feared it had been stolen. She quickly pointed out that we were not in the right section and showed me the way.

That night, I deemed her ‘The Parking Lot Expert’ and she beamed. She is 9 now and still calls out, “Don’t worry, Mom! I remember where we parked!”

She is also The Name Expert in our family because she always remembers people’s names. I also designated her The Music Expert because she knows how to tune and play her instruments, as well as sing beautifully. Children soar when their gifts are acknowledged and affirmed. By letting them lead, it gives them confidence to voice their skills and wisdom.

5. Pause before responding when troubling information is shared.

When children describe shocking information or confess to making a poor choice, take a 3-second pause and try this response: “Thank you for trusting me with this. You did the right thing by telling me.”

No matter how angry you are or how much you want to scold them, it can take just one volatile outburst to shut down future communications with your child.

“Thank you for trusting me with this,” opens up both the discussion at hand and the discussions of the future.

Think about who you want them to confide in when they are worried, scared, or hurt. If you want it to be you, muster all the grace you have and speak calmly in troubling times.

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© Rachel Macy Stafford 2015

Rachel Macy Stafford is a certified special education teacher with a Master’s Degree in education and ten years of experience working with parents and children. In December 2010, this life-long writer felt compelled to share her journey to let go of distraction and grasp what really matters by creating the blog “Hands Free Mama.”

Rachel provides readers with simple, non-intimidating, and motivating methods to let go of distraction and connect with their loved ones. Rachel’s work has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Global News, USA Today, TIME.com, MSN.com, The Huffington Post, and Reader’s Digest. Rachel’s first book, HANDS FREE MAMA, is a New York Times Bestseller.

Thank you for being part of The Hands Free Revolution. The quote showcased here today is from my new book, HANDS FREE LIFE: 9 Habits for Overcoming Distraction, Living Better, & Loving More. It hits bookstores on September 8th but you can secure your copy now, and I’d be grateful if you did! ⇒ http://amzn.to/1xy8rGU

“Having a parent who listens creates a child who believes he or she has a voice that matters in this world.”
-Rachel Macy Stafford, #handsfreelife

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