Parents, get ready to forget those exhausting, long talks with your kids that end in despair and tears! Child psychologist J. Timothy Davis is bringing a revolution to parenting: forget the monologues, it’s time for the rule of 25 short talks! Instead of trying to squeeze everything out of your child in one tiring hour, Davis suggests a series of short, regular conversations lasting only 3 to 8 minutes. Why? Because kids quickly lose focus and get emotionally overwhelmed. Short talks are like mini-breaths for their soul – they help them open up, express what they feel, without being overloaded.
Imagine this: instead of asking your child about school problems in one long conversation that ends in silence, you ask a short and clear question like, “The teacher told me you didn’t hand in some math homework. What’s going on?” Kids might say math is stupid or the teacher is too strict. The next day, you can continue the conversation, but without pressure. This way, you discover the real reasons – maybe it’s not a knowledge problem, but confusion about the methods required. This approach not only helps solve problems but also builds trust between you and your child.
Davis warns not to push your child to talk more than they want. It’s better to end the conversation while everyone still feels comfortable than to turn it into a negative experience. These short, unobtrusive talks create a sense of safety and a habit of honest communication, which is priceless nowadays when kids are often closed off.
So, parents, forget those long, heavy talks that leave you and your child drained. Try the rule of 25 short talks and watch your kids open up like never before! And if it sounds too simple to be true, share your experience or tell a funny story from your parenting life – maybe you’ll discover an even better trick to open your child’s soul!
