Communication is key: Keep talking to your parents

From the moment we are born to the day we die, communication plays an integral role in our lives. We express our feelings, thoughts and desires through verbal and non-verbal means with people around us. The first and foremost individuals we learn to communicate with are our parents who form the foundation of our communication skills. However, as we grow older, our communication with our parents sometimes diminishes due to various factors, including work pressure, physical distance between us, and lack of interest. This breakdown in communication can have serious consequences down the line. In this article, we will emphasize the importance of maintaining communication with parents and ways to keep the dialogue going

Importance of Communication:

Communication is essential in all relationships, be it personal or professional. In the context of parents, good communication can provide a sense of security, mutual trust and love, and healthy interactions. Regular communication can help in building positive relationships. A study shows that parents who communicated regularly with their children were likely to have a better relationship than those who did not. Similarly, when children communicate with their parents, they feel more secure, have a higher self-esteem, and less risk of falling into problems like substance abuse and delinquency. Communication skills are also essential for our professional success. Almost all employers seek good communication skills in their employees, which can be attributed to the fact that it facilitates effective collaboration in the workplace.

Reasons for breakdown in Communication:

The breakdown in communication can happen due to various reasons such as lack of time, physical distance, and different interests.

Ways to Improve Communication with Parents:

There are many practical steps that can help improve communication with parents. Some of them are –

• Set aside time:

The first step towards improving communication with parents is to set aside specific time for them.

• Active Listening:

Active listening means giving attention to the speaker, while formulating questions and responses. This attention is focused on understanding their intent, ideas, and feelings rather than solely focusing on our responses.

• Expressing oneself:

The next important step in keeping the communication flowing with parents is to express oneself clearly. Emotions and feelings should be expressed in a way that makes it easy for parents to comprehend.

• Choose the right platform:

It is important to choose the right platform to communicate with parents based on availability, accessibility, or preference.

• Appreciation:

Appreciating, acknowledging and empathizing with parents in their good as well as struggling times, can be a great way of showing love and respect.

• Honesty:

Being honest, objective, and transparent with parents strengthens the bonds between us and them.

In conclusion, communication is key in maintaining positive relationships with parents. Outrivaling the numerous barriers discussed and suggested in overcoming these barriers will help in maintaining warm and positive relationships with parents. By providing enough time, active listening, clear expression, choosing the right platform, appreciation, and honesty, we can bridge the gap of communication between us and our parents. The benefits of strong and healthy communication with parents are lifelong, contribute significantly to one’s personal and social growth, and create a dialogue of mutual understanding for generations to come.