That Was Then.....This Is Now!

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Nowadays many parents are struggling with either the lifestyles of their children or the choices their kids are making.  

Is it that parents don't understand the struggles of their children or is it that kids have pushed the limits of choice beyond recognition to their parents?

One thing for sure is there's a battle for understanding and each side feels they are not being understood.  Parents need to acknowledge there are multiple external factors that have a huge impact in the development of their children.  These forces start at an early age, where classroom relationships and opinions are heard and formed together.  It is these external factors that make there way into the home when discussions or opinions are expressed and view points tabled. With society encouraging children both inside and outside of the home to explore their feelings, form their own opinions and be creative in how they express themselves.

Children need to understand the number one job of a parent is to keep their kids safe, which can manifest itself in different ways.  Some being why parents want to be involved or influence who their kids hang out with, the activities children want to be part of and some of the rules parents feel they need to put in place.

At Shades of Influence we have varying views on this topic but what we do agree upon is the need to "actively communicate & listen to understand not to respond."

Times have certainly changed and the ability to effectively communicate with one another is needed more than ever.  We ask you to share some of your effective ways to communicate in our comments section below.