Michelle Duggar's Top Tips for Communicating with Your Kids

FAMILY MATTERS on 11.08.13

Michelle Duggar19 Kids and CountingBIO

 

Photo: DCL

Question from a "19 Kids and Counting" fan on Facebook: Do you have any tips for how to encourage open communications and quality time with each of your kids?

I think what’s so interesting and amazing about parents is that I really believe God gives moms and dads the ability that no one else has to understand instinctively their children’s needs. As a mom, I always try to have one-on-one conversations about how they're doing. Some of them are much more talkative and will take more time, but others you have to really pull it out of them.

I think I can sense when there’s one that really needs more time and is maybe having a rough day. Maybe they're struggling in their math, and they just can’t get it, and they feel so discouraged or whatever it is. I just really try to take that time to connect with them. As parents, we can sense that.Getting permission from them to ask how they're doing and what’s going on in their lives and taking that time to connect with them on a heart-to-heart level is so important. 

We all have to work at coming out of our shells and connecting with others. It’s coming out of who you are to be who God wants you to be. And sometimes that means you’ll get out of your comfort zone so others can feel comfortable.

By being able to do that with each one of them, it really lets them know that you're there for them no matter what. You love them unconditionally. Make sure to communicate with each one of them and that it's purposeful. I know as a parent there are so many things that pull at us, but the most important things are those relationships and the communications. When you sense in your spirit that one just needs a little extra encouragement, take that time and just open the door, just talk to them.

Have a burning question for Michelle Duggar? Send it to her and it could appear in an upcoming post!