Here is a list of guidelines for encouraging open communication with your children.
1. Listen more than you talk. If you let them know that they will not be punished for telling the truth, they will feel comfortable (or safe) talking to you about anything. They will prefer to talk to their parents, rather than peers.
2. Show respect. If you respect them, they will respect you.
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
3. Avoid a power struggle. Which is more important� always being right, or having a good relationship? Careful You can win a battle, but lose the war.
4. Do not shout, swear, or utter obscenities. Many harsh and degrading words� once taboo in polite society� are now used in every day conversation, on TV, and in public discourse. Your child hears this in excess at school. Spare him such verbal abuse in your home. Show by your example that your family will emulate speech and conduct worthy of Epic Heroes.
5. Do not compare one child to another.
6. Never belittle any family member. At work, you treat customers and associates with respect, or lose your job. Do the same for your family, even though they do not have the financial leverage to compel you to do so.
7. Do not locate your computer in an isolated area, or waste time in useless online chat rooms. Utilize full parental internet protection, and abide by the same standards of decency you require from your children.
How to Talk About Issues
8. Teach your children to know right from wrong. When taught correct principles, they can govern themselves wisely as adults.
9. Discuss important issues in a civilized manner. Talk radio can help with this, where issues are discussed every day. From this your children can learn how to:
Discern Truth
Apply Principles You Have Taught Them
Defend Their Convictions
Respectfully Disagree When Appropriate
10. Do not provide an advocate for something that is morally wrong. This is often done by ridiculing or making jokes about sacred things or moral values. Evil has plenty of advocates already without your help.
11. Do not hold debates. Debate is not a wise teaching method, because when you are teaching moral absolutes, there is a right and wrong to every question. Never ask a child to defend something he or she does not believe is morally right. It sends the wrong message and places form over substance.
12. Do not pit one child against another; it degenerates into contention, which drives away the spirit of harmony. Those who �lose� the debate feel threatened, thereby detracting from the safe environment required for the free flow of ideas in the home.
13. Do not resort to personal attacks on anyone you do not agree with, whether it be a political, religious, or any other context. Stick to the issues. An example of disrespectful, uncouth, spiteful, or even hateful behavior does not teach NOBLE character.
Good Communication Creates Lasting Memories
14. Teach with parables, which foster
Independent Thinking
Application of Correct Moral Principles
15. Teach your children to love one another, and to serve one another.
16. Teach your children reverence. This begins with prayers at meal time.
