Week Two Review

Last week we asked you to practice using non-judgement, open-ended questions, and affirmation/reflective listening in a conversation with your child. How did it go? Which of these three things did you find to be most difficult?

Changing how we communicate can be very difficult and takes a LOT of practice. We recommend scheduling a time when you know you will be one-on-one with your child (e.g., driving to a sports practice, going for a walk) to continue practice of these skills. Remember - practice makes permanent! The more you invest in your communication with your child, the more likely they will be to share their lives with you going forward. We also know that good communication will help your child remain open to your efforts to educate them about risks.