
Activity: When your child wants to talk about something serious to you, how do you respond? Ask your child to vent about whatever they want, but before they begin, ask them some questions about how they want you to listen. Afterwards, have a discussion about how you both felt. Did your child want you to do anything differently? Do you wish your child talked about things differently?
Consider the following questions to ask your child, too:
- What’s the best way for someone to show they are actively listening to you?
- What are your biggest distractors in conversation and how do you help control those?
Discussion: After your conversation, leave your feelings and how the conversation went here! Are there any questions you have about understanding your child?
Check out these articles to get some more info:
Setting Emotional Boundaries
The Catharsis of Venting
Is It Okay to Vent?
How to Help Your Teen Cope with Emotional Outbursts