Say What You Mean
and Mean What You Say
<Everyday Parenting Tips>
You tell your son it's time to leave, then take a half an hour to get yourself ready. You ask your teen to be home by 9 pm and don't say a word when she walks in at 10 pm. You threaten to cancel your teen's night out if he is disrespectful to you again. He is, but you don't.
After a bit of time, you teenager has gotten the message, you don't mean what you say!
Saying things 'off the cuff' when we are busy, nervous or just not thinking will lead to communications problems when you do mean what you have said. Slow down, take a minute before you speak and try not to issue commands with consequences you don't intend to uphold.
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<Everyday Parenting Tips>
