I had coffee with a friend yesterday and we were sharing childhood and parenting experiences. She told me about going out to dinner with her family and how great it was because they were all forced to stay around the table and talk. The kids couldn't inhale the food and scatter! Sound familiar?
As we were talking, I reflected on a conversation I had with my pastor. She told me about something they call "Time with Dad" or "Daddy time."
Daddy time occurred right before bed for each child. Daddy would go and tuck the child in bed and give him the opportunity to ask anything. This occurred each night into his teenage years. She said it began with questions about the stuffed animal but as their son grew, this time provided an opportunity to talk about serious life issues. No matter the question, he knew he could ask his dad.
I had another friend who gave her son a journal and each night, he had to write about his day as well as any questions he had for mom. The next morning, after he left for school, she would read the journal and answer the questions, via writing.
These are two creative ways to open up communication between parent and child. Communication is so vital for each of us. What we learn growing up seems to stick with us...healthy or unhealthy. We have the obligation to train our children in healthy and good communication. A lot of times it is trial and error but the key is to try. The Lord tells us He will fill our mouth. God will always meet us where we're at. If we don't know, we can say we don't know. We can say, "Let me pray about the answer" or "I'll find out and get back to you."
Take the step, be the parent and open the lines of communication. You were made for this! God wants you to succeed more than you do. He knows your child more than you. Ask Him to show you things that you may have not noticed. Ask Him to open the lines of communication. He will. He is faithful.
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