Communicate With Your Children

'Are you listening to me?' How many times have we heard that saying, or have said those very same words as we communicate with our children? As parents there are moments we feel the communication system is broken down on the receiving end. We wonder how it is that our children don't seem to hear us, or do what is asked of them. It drives us crazy and can make for unpleasant moments in our households. We feel that it must be our children and that they just don't listen.

With that said let me ask you as a parent when was the last time you really listened to your child? When was the last time you stopped working on whatever it was you were doing to really make eye contact with your child and to listen to them?

When you talk with your children is it usually while you are driving in the car, reading the newspaper, watching television, or making supper? Or do you talk around the dinner table without the distractions of a television or radio, or just before putting your kids to bed? When do you take time to really listen and communicate with your kids?

Our society today has families running from work and school to sports and extra curricular events all week long. With this kind of schedule, we put a lot of stress on ourselves as parents as well as on our children. We want to be parents that gave their kids the best, but sometimes the best things we can give them is ourselves and our uninterrupted time. So the next time we wonder if our kids are listening, perhaps we need to check if we have been listening. Remember our kids learn by example.

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Quick & Easy Chili

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion chopped

1 tablespoon fat (if meat is lean)

1 14 oz. can red kidney beans

1 10 oz. can tomato soup

2/3 cup water

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons chili powder (or more, according to taste)

1 teaspoon vinegar

Serves 3-4.

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- Thomas