Conversation Starters: Start Talking to Your Kids

A dear friend once said she would never ask her teenage son about his guy/girl relationships. I found this shocking -- we need to know that kind of stuff!
Big time need to know.

I responded much less dramatic with her by giving her a lame, "Oh."
I was so baffled, I didn't know what to say.

So when I returned home, I quickly inquired of my teenage daughters who proceeded to tell me, "That's not surprising. A lot of kids don't talk with their parents." Again, Shock & Surprise!

Our kids need us. And we need to talk with them and find out how they are sorting out life. Don't believe any bunk philosophy that says "kids don't need to tell their parents things." That is a lie meant to place a wedge into the parent-child relationship. You have a right to know what's going on with your child.

If you are having trouble talking with your kids; I hope these conversation starters will be just the ticket and get the ball rolling for you.

But, remember it's just that. It will be a jumping off point, and you will have to continue to seek out your children and develop a relationship of trust, so they will confide in you.

Do this with fervor! Your kids need you, and it will be an amazingly rewarding experience.

I can understand the distractions of life can make us too tired to talk with our kids, or their schedules don't allow for it. But, it's time to change that.

Put these conversation starters to work for you, and develop deeper and more meaningful conversations with your kids.

27 Questions to get your kids talking.

CONVERSATION STARTERS FOR YOUR KIDS:
1. Who are their friends? If you don't know this already; find out. Invite their friends over and get to know them.
2. What are their favorite qualities about their friend(s)? Refer to their friends by name.
3. Do they have any concerns as it relates to their friend(s)?
4. What is their favorite thing about school? Church? Sports? Other activities?
5. What is their least favorite thing about school? Church? Sports? Other activities?
6. If they have a boyfriend or girlfriend -- how is the relationship going?
7. What are the frustrations in the relationship?
8. Do they see themselves with this person long term?
9. What is their idea of the ideal mate? Why?
10. What traits are important to them in a spouse?
11. What are their dreams for the future?
12. Their fears for the future?
13. If money was not a consideration, what would they do with their life or career?
14. Do they have hobbies they would like to develop? What are they?
15. Where would they want to go on a family vacation? What was their favorite family vacation so far? Why?
16. What is their favorite food(s)?
17. Do they have a favorite place in the house? If yes, what makes it special?
18. What do they think they are good at?
19. What areas do they want to develop in themselves?
20. Are they ever afraid? About what?
21. What was their most embarrassing moment?
22. Favorite TV show(s)? Why?
23. Favorite movie(s)? Favorite movie character(s) and why?
24. Favorite book(s)? Favorite character(s) and why?
25. What was their best birthday celebration or what would it be?
26. If they had to describe themselves in one or two words, what would they say?
27. How would others describe them?

These conversation starters should get you rolling. New questions and topics of conversation will develop from the above.

Remember to proceed out of love for your children and an interest in getting to know them -- your questions will be geared around their individual personality and interests, and the conversations will flow.
Blessings!

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Julie DeHart is the mother of 5 and author of www.keep-your-home-cooking.com/ See her website for more parenting tips, organizational & cleaning helps, "how to" tutorials, and delicious, easy recipes.

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