Quotes About Communication

Play hard to get. You should be.

You deserve a husband who wants you, Caroline, just as you are, and you know I do. But as much as I need you, I don't want you if you're here right now from a feeling of guilt, or pity, or some odd sense of self-righteousness or duty." He abruptly glanced down once again to his brandy. "Because I also believe, even with my numerous faults, that I deserve a wife who wants me in return, just as I am. Anything less isn't worth the pain.

Give information. What we like about giving information is that, in a sense, you're giving the child a gift he can use forever. For the rest of his life he'll need to know that "milk turns sour when it's not refrigerated

The time for empathy is when a child wants you to know how he feels.

Insisting upon good feelings between the children led to bad feelings. Acknowledging bad feelings between the children led to good feelings. A circuitous route to sibling harmony. And yet, the most direct.

Insisting upon good feelings between the children led to bad feelings. Acknowledging bad feelings between the children led to good feelings.

One father said that what helped him become more sensitive to his son's emotional needs was when he began to equate the boy's bruised, unhappy feelings with physical bruises.

Describa: (lo que ve o el problema.) 2. Dé información: 3. Dígalo con una palabra: 4. Hable de sus sentimientos: 5. Escriba una nota: Acaba de aplicar cinco habilidades diferentes a la misma situación.

We say "please" to our children to model a socially acceptable way to make a small request. But "please" lends itself best to our more relaxed moments.

The key word is respect—for my child, for myself, and for the unlimited possibilities of what can happen when two people of good will put their heads together.

The group beamed and applauded. It was a lot to absorb. I thought I'd better summarize. "So when it comes to homework," I said, "here are your new strategies." 1. Be on your child's side. Acknowledge his feelings! 2. Problem-solve. Consider everything. 3. Be your child's advocate. Communicate with the teacher when homework gets overwhelming. Don't worry about what other people's kids are doing.

The attitude behind your words is as important as the words themselves. The attitude that children thrive on is one that communicates, "You're basically a lovable, capable person. Right now there's a problem that needs attention. Once you're aware of it, you'll probably respond responsibly.

To learn a new language is not easy. For one thing, you will always speak with an accent. . . . But for your children it will be their native tongue!

Children don't appreciate having the names they call themselves repeated by their parents. When a child tells you he's dumb or ugly or fat, it's not helpful to reply with "Oh, so you think you're dumb," or "You really feel you're ugly." Let's not cooperate with him when he calls himself names. We can accept his pain without repeating the name.

I have the feeling Heather is going to be "expressing herself" a lot more in the future, and I'm sure I won't like everything I hear; but in the long run, I still think it's more important for her to be real than to have to continue being "mother's joy.

MOTHER: Billy, we're leaving in five minutes. BILLY: (doesn't answer and continues to read the comics.) MOTHER: Would you tell me what I just said? BILLY: You said we're leaving in five minutes. MOTHER: Okay, now that I know you know, I won't mention it again.

The best part of using descriptive language is that it takes out the finger-pointing and accusation, and helps everyone focus on what needs to be done.

Resist the temptation to "make better" instantly. Instead of giving advice, continue to accept and reflect on your child's feelings.

When we describe the event (instead of talking about what "you did"), we seem to make it easier for the child to hear what the problem is and deal with it.

When children want something they can't have, adults usually respond with logical explanations of why they can't have it. Often, the harder we explain, the harder they protest.

The father was astonished. He hadn't asked questions and yet the child had told him the whole story. He hadn't given one word of advice, and yet the child had worked out his own solution. It seemed unbelievable to him that he could have been so helpful to his son just by listening and acknowledging his feelings.

Refrain from giving the child information she already knows.

All we can do is attempt to understand our children's feelings. We won't always succeed, but our efforts are usually appreciated.

in a caring relationship there was no room for punishment.