Good communication is an important parenting skill. Parenting can be more enjoyable when positive parent-child relationship is established.Whether you are parenting a toddler or a teenager, good communication is the key to building self-esteem as well a mutual respect.

Basic Principles of Good Parent/Child Communication

1. Let the child know that you are interested and involved and that you will help when needed.

2. Turn off the television or put the newspaper down when your child wants to converse.

3. Avoid taking a telephone call when the child has something important to tell you.

4. Unless other people are specifically meant to be included, hold conversations in privacy. The best communication between you and the child will occur when others are not around.

5. Embarrassing the child or putting him on the spot in front of others will lead only to resentment and hostility, not good communication.

6. Listen carefully and politely.Be as courteous to your child as you would be to your best friend.

7. Assist the child in planning some specific steps to the solution.

8. Show that you accept the child himself, regardless of what he has or has not done.

9. Reinforce the child for keeping communication open. Do this by accepting him and praising his efforts to communicate.