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Good communication is an important parenting skill. This page provides useful information and techniques for parents on how to communicate effectively with their children. Parenting can be more enjoyable when positive parent - child relationship is established. Whether you are parenting a toddler or a teenager, good communication is the key to building self-esteem as well a mutual respect. Basic Principles of Good Parent/Child Communication  Let the child know that you are interested and involved and that you will help when needed.  Turn off the television or put the newspaper down when your child wants to converse.  Avoid taking a telephone call when the child has something important to tell you.  Unless other people are specifically meant to be included, hold conversations in privacy. The best communication between you and the child will occur when others are not around.  Embarrassing the child or putting him on the spot in front of others will lead...

Kids react in a positive manner to tender methods of disciplining rather than to constant threatening. Scolding or beating your child for every little mistake that they commit will only make them more rebellious. The task of disciplining a child needs to be handled carefully, delicately and with plenty of love. Here’s how you can discipline your child: Set examples for them to follow. Kids tend to ape the behavior of elders. If you want them to get habituated to doing something, then you should do it too. For example, throw garbage in the bin or straighten your bed when you wake up or eat without chomping on your food. Your kid will automatically learn and follow these habits. If kids are unruly in a public place, be patient and try reasoning out with them first. If they still don’t pay heed to you, resort to some stern words. If the behavior continues, walk away from them. However, remember not to raise your voice or slap them. Such a move on your part will result in them throwi...

Occasional parent-child tiffs may be unavoidable, but they shouldn’t create a rift in your bond Parents are never the easiest to please; they have their own set of sky-high expectations from their children. Arguments are a part of any parent-child relationship. But how you handle it as a child is important. Here are some points that you should know, if you are to successfully handle an argument with your parents and come out on the winning side. TALK OUT THE RULES There will be all sorts of rules what is the deadline to come home, phone usage, how much of TV can be watched, rules about friends coming over or stay overs with friends and how often you can party the list is endless. One of the best ways to avoid arguments about rules is to discuss them with your parents. If you feel that the rules are too harsh or unrealistic, talk it out. Your parents may be willing to make some adjustments. Don’t yell or argue; explain your points gently. FOLLOW THE RULES Now that the rules have...

While you may dread bringing up the ‘S’ word with your kids, it is a must-talk-about topic, experts say ‘Mum, where did I come from?’ That is a common question that most parents face. But it’s not the question you need to focus on. What’s more important is how you, as a parent, react when your child asks you this basic yet very complicated question? Do you cringe and say ‘Chee! Don’t ask such questions’ or tell him/her ‘the good old stork dropped you in my lap’ story or give him/her a simple and practical answer? Experts vouch for the fact that how you answer this all important query can in fact, make quite a life-long impact on your child.  So, what is the right age to start talking to your child about sex and exactly how much should you divulge? According to Seema Hingorrany, clinical psychologist, parents should drop hints right from the time the child is three-and-a-half years old. “You can’t tell them about sex as they will not be able to comprehend it. However, right from t...