Avoiding This Communication Mistake With Your Child: Watch Your Tone

Watch Your Tone

Hey parents! Let's dive into something that's seriously game-changing: how we communicate with our youth. Trust me, it's a total game-changer. So, let me share a bit of my own experience.

Imagine this: I'm working as an elementary school counselor for the first time after a 20-year military career working with adults, right? And when I first started, I didn't fully grasp how my tone could affect my relationship with the students. I'd talk to them with this strong, loud tone without even realizing it. But guess what? It backfired.

Students were clamming up, feeling they couldn't trust me and sometimes even thinking I was disrespectful. Not cool, right? It was eye-opening to notice how certain educators could set students off with their tone. So, I decided to tune in and change up my tone game.

Students were clamming up, feeling they couldn't trust me and sometimes even thinking I was disrespectful. Not cool, right? It was eye-opening to notice how certain educators could set students off with their tone. So, I decided to tune in and change up my tone game.

And let me tell you, it made all the difference. Using a warm, friendly tone built rapport and trust with the youth. They felt valued and were way more willing to share. Plus, it made our conversations way more engaging.

Here's the lowdown on why tone matters:

• Trust: A friendly tone shows you care.

• Engagement: The right tone gets them talking.

• Emotional Impact: Tone can comfort or hurt, so choose wisely.

• Modeling Communication: Show them how it's done with your tone.

• Age Appropriateness: Adjust your tone to fit their age.

• Respect: Be mindful of cultural differences.

Coach Jack's Tip: In cultivating relationships with children, minding our tone is paramount. A gentle approach yields immense rewards, fostering trust and rapport. Believe me; the investment pays off handsomely!