We are part of a society dominated by fear and insecurity emanating from different quarters and the least we can offer our children is a warm and safe space filled with love that will help them express themselves to us and deal with these anomalies.

Here are some of the things we can do to enable our children talk to us just about anything.

AVOID SHOUTING: We can achieve this by talking in normal tones during conversations and correcting our children in love. When we raise our voices to prevent our children from making mistakes or getting into danger, this registers in their brain as a normal response pattern and when mastered, we begin to see them either use same tone or withdraw completely during conversations. So we must pay attention to the tone of our voice when communicating with our children.  

USE ONE-MINUTE PRAISINGS: Have you ever caught your child doing something impressive? Use such opportunities to commend them no matter how little as this will boost their confidence and endear them to express themselves to you. Your expression at times like this should encourage them to share their thoughts with you.

BE PRESENT: Pay attention to your child to observe non-verbal expressions and behaviours. Many at times, children use tantrums as a way to communicate displeasure or dissatisfaction and this is not a time to just tell them off.

Our children will best express themselves and even speak up for others when they feel safe around us. You cannot go wrong with listening with rapt attention when you enable your child to speak up.

"I want to encourage kids to speak up, to tell their stories. That is the only way people will know what we have to go through".

Lauren Potter