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Rachel Winston offers tips on how to get your children to talk to you
Do you worry that your child bottles up their feelings and problems ? Do you sometimes feel frustrated they don ' t tell you what ' s going on , or you sense there are some things they hide or even lie about ?
You ' re not alone . It can be incredibly frustrating for parents to not know what ' s going on with their child , especially when all you want to do is be there for them and do what ' s best for them .
If this problem is persistent and you ' ve noticed strong changes in your child ' s behaviour and emotions , you should consider seeking professional guidance , such as a play therapist , to help shed light on the child ’ s inner world ( and work together with your community including teachers , family doctor and school counsellor ).
There are many reasons why your child may not be sharing something with you . This article will help if you want to make sure your child knows they can tell you anything .
Let ' s start with removing barriers Think of a time when you yourself kept something back . Perhaps from a boss or maybe your own parent ? Think back and remember what that situation was like . What stopped you sharing what was going on ? What were some characteristics of the person you found it hard to tell the truth to ? Write it down ... Ask yourself do you ever show any of these traits ?
Now write down characteristics of someone you do find it easy to confide in . Which of these characteristics do you already embody and which could you build upon ?
Have consistent and regular playtime A little and often is better . Even if it ’ s just five minutes of playtime together , this is really valuable . Play is a child ’ s natural language . It offers a great way for you both to relax and for your child
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