Importance of Healthy Communication

One of the key factors in keeping our children safe is having good communication with them.

My daughter is a few days over 1 year and as the days go by I can clearly understand some of her requests.

Putting a Lot of effort in Attempting to Talk

She is working on her pronunciation and learning new words. Thanks to one of my parenting mentors Rob Hatch, he  helped me understand part of the thought process babies go through when they are attempting new things like talking.

Mom Does a Better Job at Understanding her

Since mom spends a bit more time with Daniela she does a better job at identifying what she is trying to say. I do my best at interpreting most of her sounds that occasionaly turn into words.

Basic Needs Come First

Since Daniela is being breastfed she has been able to pronounce the word breast in Spanish. I guess the necessity of her getting breastfed has put that word as a priority in her vocabulary. Their are a few other words that she can pronounce like “cat” which she uses to identify all animals except for “dog” which she tries to pronounce JuanGa’s name.

Understanding Toddlers a lot easier than Teenagers

As a new dad I am enjoying every step and milestone she accomplishes. I know that as a baby misunderstandings can come from lack of words but in the future those misunderstandings can come from other factors. I guess it would be a waste of time for me to talk on the aspect of understanding teenagers but since it is important that all Parents especially those that are part of the Papa heroes Alliance can have good communication with their kids of any age.

The Clapper and the Listener video by Aaron Manley

Browsing Google + I found this video created by Aaron Manley from Motorphilia . I was introduced to him via my good friend Chris Brogan.

By coincidence Chris had shared the video on how people in general sometimes have miscommunications.

I recommend watching the video so you can easily understand the concept.


Can’t see the video click here…

I have to say that this exercise is one you can practice with kids and adults alike. The best point Aaron makes is  how people get frustrated because they are trying to understand you which may lead to even bigger frustrations.  I will keep this in my head so when my daughter is old enough to talk, I can teach her how she needs to facilitate the understanding of any message she wants to get across.

On behalf of the alliance I want to thank Papahero Aaron and his Sidekick Olivia for creating and sharing this thought provoking video.

Are there any practical and neat exercises like the one Aaron shared with us via YouTube that you do with your family?

Feel free to share comments and ideas in the comments area!

Good Communication & Instilling Urgency In Your Kids

When I was a teenager I was more focused on working and trying to get my first business going as a dog groomer than anything else. My parents did not have to worry about many of the risks of online threats as many parents do today. The only communication device I had outside of my parents phone was a One Way Beeper which received messages and I had to scramble to a Pay Phone to be able to answer especially when it was my mom.

The Urgent Message

I remember my Mom and Dad had a unique way of letting me know how urgent or important it was for me to call them back. If the message said Urgent I knew I had to do my best to get to a phone or to the house as quick as possible because they needed me.

My parents where very relaxed (sometimes I think too relaxed) and I grew up with a feeling of being trusted. My parents would never breath down my back trying to monitor me because they trusted my judgment . My parents never used the word urgent in a text message or communication if it really was not.

Good Communication

My clear communication with my parents while I was a teenager always helped me convey any concerns. On the other side when they needed something and said it was a priority or urgent I knew I had to drop everything and get in touch with them. Till this day I still respond the same way when my parents need me.

When I was a teenager I remember how some of my friends would ignore their parents messages. At that time we had a fraction of the distractions we have now. I see a priority in establishing the importance of setting a tone in those messages that are important.

How do you communicate the sense of urgency or priority to your kids? What words are sent in a communication, which let’s your kid knows that they need to drop everything and contact you as a parent?

 

photo credit by Wendel F.