{"id":856,"date":"2012-08-23T15:53:43","date_gmt":"2012-08-23T19:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lifeasaconsciousmom\/?p=856"},"modified":"2012-08-23T16:01:28","modified_gmt":"2012-08-23T20:01:28","slug":"what-did-you-do-today-nothing-helping-your-child-talk-about-their-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lifeasaconsciousmom\/2012\/08\/23\/what-did-you-do-today-nothing-helping-your-child-talk-about-their-day\/","title":{"rendered":"What did you do today? Nothing. (Helping Your Child Talk About Their Day)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>When parents ask me for insight one of the common frustrations during the school year is that their kids won\u2019t talk to them about what they did during the day.<\/p>\n

When asked \u2018What did you do today?\u2019 The response is more often than not, \u2018nothing\u2019 or \u2018I don\u2019t know.\u2019<\/p>\n

I think parents feel like their kids are intentionally holding out on them, but in truth, children tend to be pretty much in the moment. When confronted with the question \u2018what did you do today\u2019 it\u2019s hard for them to reflect back on everything they did and boil it down into a single answer.<\/p>\n

Here are several suggestions that offer ways to get your kid talking about their day.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Start your conversation with \u2018Can I tell you about my day? I did a lot today!\u2019 or if you had something exciting happen \u2018I had this really great thing happen today\u2026\u2019 The more you share your day with your child, the more this becomes normal conversation. When asked the question \u2018What did you do today?\u2019, if it isn\u2019t day-to-day conversation it might feel like they are being put on the spot, rather then you being interested.<\/li>\n
  2. Rather than the blanket, all-encompassing question \u2018what did you do today?\u2019 ask your child specific questions: \u2018Did anybody do anything funny today?\u2019 \u2018What was the best thing you did today?\u2019 \u2018Did you have music?\u2019<\/li>\n
  3. My ongoing philosophy of the two way street is at play here too. Make it a habit to each day, share five things you did during the day. Everybody plays or nobody plays.<\/li>\n
  4. Be excited to hear what your child has to say. If it sounds like your grilling them or your not paying attention, your likely going to get the \u2018nothing\u2019 response. If you sound like you really want to know what they did today, they are more likely to open up and share.<\/li>\n
  5. Recognize that sometimes kids need a little bit of time to shift gears from school to home. There is a certain mindset and persona that your child takes on as she navigates her day. Give her time to decompress and then see if she has something to share.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As with many things I talk about, the more you honestly engage your child, the more they will see that you are truly interested and supportive of who they are and what they have to say.<\/p>\n

    And keep in mind that if you get the \u2018nothing\u2019 or \u2018I don\u2019t know\u2019 response, coming back with sarcasm, anger or judgment isn\u2019t going to demonstrate interest in their day. Try addressing it head on with a \u2018I know you did many things today and I\u2019d love to hear about at least one when you are ready.\u2019<\/p>\n

    Sometimes Caidin will hit me with \u2018nothing\u2019 and I\u2019ll just let it go and then after being home for 20 minutes or so he\u2019ll start talking about things he did during the day and I\u2019m right there eager to listen to him.<\/p>\n

    Be forewarned though, once you get them talking, sometimes they won\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n

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

    Have friends who will benefit from this information? Use the handy share options provided at the top of the article . You\u2019ll find Facebook, Twitter, Google +1, Email or click the \u2018share\u2019 for many, many other options.<\/p>\n

    Remember, join me at\u00a0The Conscious Mom\u2019s Guide<\/a>\u00a0for more insight, guidance and to connect with a growing group of conscious parents.<\/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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