{"id":1112,"date":"2012-10-15T11:23:14","date_gmt":"2012-10-15T15:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lifeasaconsciousmom\/?p=1112"},"modified":"2012-10-15T11:24:07","modified_gmt":"2012-10-15T15:24:07","slug":"dont-just-talk-explain-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lifeasaconsciousmom\/2012\/10\/15\/dont-just-talk-explain-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Just Talk, Explain Why – The Power of Detailed Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Caidin\u2019s National Geographic Kids arrived the other day. His Aunt Maria gave him a subscription, and he waits eagerly each month for the magazine. He goes through and reads every story, every highlight, out loud.<\/p>\n

As he read through this month\u2019s magazine he said \u2018did you know that eating cheese after a meal slows tooth decay?\u2019 \u2018Why,\u2019 I asked. \u2018I don\u2019t know,\u2019 he said. He continued \u2018Did you know that rock candy was once used as a medicine?\u2019 \u2018How so,\u2019 I asked. \u2018I don\u2019t know,\u2019 he said and added \u2018did you know that most farmed carrots used to be purple?\u2019 \u2018No, I didn\u2019t,\u2019 I said, \u2018why was that?\u2019 Again he said \u2018I don\u2019t know.\u2019<\/p>\n

It got me thinking, first that I was a little disappointed in National Geographic Kids, but second, this is something most adults do with kids. We say things but we don\u2019t explain. It would have been so much more interesting and educational if Nat Geo had actually explained the why, what and how behind these interesting facts. Of course Caidin and I will now search to find the answers, but, I don\u2019t think that was the plan when Nat Geo put together their \u2018bet you didn\u2019t know\u2019 section.<\/p>\n

As I said, adults do this with kids all the time. We give directions like \u2018stop doing that\u2019 or \u2018don\u2019t touch that\u2019 but we don\u2019t follow through with the why, or the what-for. As adults we question things that people tell us. If someone says to us \u2018don\u2019t touch that;\u2019 if we can\u2019t figure it out from the setting we ask \u2018why?\u2019 Kids on the other hand, don\u2019t always ask that question. They simply hear, or don\u2019t hear what we have to say.<\/p>\n

When we add an explanation, it helps kids on so many levels. It helps them to understand that our request is based on something solid. It helps them understand why. It also shows them that we respect them, that we aren\u2019t just spouting commands and demands.<\/p>\n

But this goes beyond what we ask and require of our kids, it goes to everything we say and do. If we add deeper meaning, or greater information, we help our kids not only learn, but also to develop their own ability to communicate with a level of depth that is often just not used.<\/p>\n

My husband and I started doing this with Caidin from the very beginning. We explained everything and we gave detail to everything. Kids are trying to learn and understand the world around them, so what better way to support that learning than to explain things. For us it wasn\u2019t just a dog, it was a black Labrador retriever dog. We weren\u2019t going out, we were going out to get groceries and maybe do a few other things, but we\u2019d see how much time we had. Caidin didn\u2019t have temper tantrums, he didn\u2019t resist leaving, or going and I think in part it\u2019s because we explained everything.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not really sure why, as adults, we short-change our communication with our kids. Mostly I think it\u2019s because we underestimate what children are capable of. But if you are interested in conscious parenting (or teaching or grandparenting) the way in which we communicate and the information we share can help children to better understand their world and can teach them to communicate more effectively.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 2012 Christine Agro<\/p>\n

Come join me for free at\u00a0The Conscious Mom\u2019s Guide<\/a>\u00a0for insight, guidance, support and a growing community interested in Conscious Parenting.<\/p>\n

Have questions about your child or need support? Christine offers\u00a0private readings<\/a>\u00a0as well as on-line support at\u00a0The Consicous Mom\u2019s Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Christine Agro is a clairvoyant, naturopath, Master Herbalist, conscious mom and author of 50 Ways to Live Life Consciously as well as of The Conscious Living Wisdom Cards (Special Moms\u2019 Edition). Christine is founder of The Conscious Mom\u2019s Guide , a membership site where she helps support you on your own journey of living life consciously and on your journey of being a Conscious parent. You can also join Christine on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>. To contact Christine, invite her to speak or to schedule an appointment with her please\u00a0email<\/a>\u00a0her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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