The family should be a beehive of activities where communication between parents and children should be encouraged. Both parents and children should be free to communicate with each other (without hindrance). Communication should be interactive.
But it would rather be unfortunate if in a family parent-child communication becomes a mere routine, mechanical issue or even completely lacking. Parent and their children should be able to see eye to eye on different issues.
Opportunities should be opened up to stimulate discussions between parents and children. Parents should bring their experiences to bear in the way they communicate with their children. They should be accessible to their children. If parents are readily approachable, the children will find it easy to come to them with their problems, share their deep feelings and intentions as well as reason with them.
If parent-child communication is effective, a parent should be able to carry the child along and interact at all times. When the parent returns home in the evening, for instance, he should be able to ask the child such questions like:
- How was your day?
- Can you share with me how you spent your day?
- Was there any challenge academically, morally, emotionally, socially or otherwise?
- is there any problem bothering you? Any issue?
- is anything the matter? Are you Alright? Is all well?
- is there any specific assistance i could render?
- how are you faring generally?
It is expected that as the child is brought close to his parents, opportunities for meaningful and effective parent-child communication would not only be stimulated but also sustained.