ONE of the best ways to improve your communication skills with your child is to use open-ended responses that do not convey judgment.

These "Door Openers" will help you get to the bottom of a problem instead of showing your child that you are interested more in winning than discussing with them.

Door Openers
"What do you think?"
"Would you like to share more about that?"
"That's a good question."
"I don't know, but I'll find out"
"I'm interested in what you are saying."
"Do you know what that means?"
"That sounds important to you."
"Do you want to talk about it?"

Door Slammers are the opposite and are used by the majority of parents. These statements imply a lack of understanding and result in more arguments instead of resolving the original one.

Door Slammers
"You are too young to understand."
"If you say that again, I'll..."
"That's none of your business."
"I don't care what your friends are doing!"
"We'll talk about that when you need to know."
"That's just for boys/girls"
"Why are you asking me that?"
"You don't need to know about that."
"Don't come to me if you mess up."

"Door Openers" are more difficult to communicate at first, but when the lines of communication between you and your child are thrown open, the results will speak for themselves.

Learn more about improving your parental communication skills at Gordon Training International.