The words we speak and write can have great impact on others. If we are to create thoughtful and meaningful relationships with our loved ones, in a world that is fast-paced and scattered, a certain emphasis should be placed on the focus of meaning. It requires good intention, and concentration, but with a little practice, the words we speak to our children can improve and become more significant, and can create a greater environment of love.
Sure, it takes a constant awareness, and a higher sense of priorities, but our family is worth the investment of time and dedication.
The following is a list of suggestions we can all use to get our words more focused on a higher-quality meaning:
- Schedule a block of time each day to hang out with your kids
- If you think you’re going to say something in anger, stop yourself, and count to ten…or twenty
- Eat dinner together often
- Read together
- Model your own speech in a way you want your own children to speak
- Take time for yourself each day to focus on improvement
- Plan on having family night each week
- Make a conscious choice to speak with love, patience, and understanding
- Ask questions that perpetuate dialogue
- Share your feelings and be honest about them with your kids if you’re having a hard day
Thanks, Clare. What a good list. I can vouch for No. 5. Speaking English properly at home gives children a huge advantage in life. The language they learn from their families becomes the English that “sounds right” to them. They carry those speech patterns into school and into their workplaces. Even if they cannot remember precise grammar rules, if they are spoken to properly at home, they can rely on what “sounds right.”
I totally agree, Gail. Friends can have a huge impact on speech patterns, too. Even when parents try to instill good usage, a group of friends can come along and *poof* the kid slips into “friend speech” real quick. It’d be interesting to analyze the different dialects of Fresno’s diverse geographic locations.