How To Talk So Your Kids, Big & Little, Will Listen

Gayle Schrier Smith M.D. • Jan 30, 2024

 

Ever wonder what it's like to have two full time jobs?  I'm a full time mother and a full time pediatrician, and many of my readers are in a similar club.  There's no more important work than raising adults, and it's a job I take seriously. 

When I’m having a challenging day at the doctor's office, I'm often reminded that my "Doctor Job" is finished at the end of the day, but my "Mom Job" is never finished.  When things are going well, it's possible to have two full time jobs; but when the "throw-ups" are working their way through the house or my toddler has gone on strike over pooping in the potty, I dig deep for patience and perseverance.  "Does EVERY mother have a 2-liter coke bottle ready to go with the label steamed off for the art project on Tuesday?"  I'm reading the note on Monday, and my response is less than charitable to my child who forgot to show me the note for a week. 


Today, we talked about how it’s not so much “what” a mother says… but it’s HOW she says it that counts.  What I say to my kids matters, but how I say it often matters more.  One of my favorite books is titled, How To Talk So Your Kids Will Listen.  If you have wee ones, there's How To Talk So Your Little Kids Will Listen. 

 Here's a bit of insight from the authors:

Gayle Schrier Smith, MD

(writing as a Dr. Mom today)

 

The post What Parents Say Matters To Our Kids appeared first on Partners in Pediatrics in 2018 .

 

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