Starting conversations with children is not always as simple as it seems. There are so many different children, and each of them needs a certain kind of approach. Children are very sensitive; they would instantly recognize someone who they cannot trust. When you are trying to talk to a child you should always be honest and have good intentions. Otherwise kids will just turn their back on you. Children need an emotionally safe environment to be relaxed, and be able to have a conversation, to speak about their thoughts and feelings.

Parents with teenager children probably have the worst time in trying to have a conversation with them. They are at a difficult period of their life, when everything changes quickly, their looks, their feelings and everything around and they have to keep up with all these changes. For some it actually might be a stressful period. So it does no wonder why it is so hard to talk to these kids.

But a good parent has to be patient and understanding because after all, we all were once teenagers. That’s why is good for a parent to know a few good conversation starters for children. There are some easy questions, that any child could answer you. For instance, when he comes home from school, you can both sit down for a little snack and chat.

You can start with something quite general.  Ask him how was school today; or have anything special happened today at school. It’s quite probable that there will be something that your kid might think it worth mention. So if he does so, listen to him and act like you are really interested in what’s he saying, even if you don’t really do. The important thing is to make your child talk, and build his confidence in you. If he sees that you are interested in what’s he saying, next time he will come to you by himself.

When talking about school, you can ask him if he could change one thing about school, what that would be. By addressing him this question you’ll raise his interest to think of school in a critical way, and you might even get several answers, he might want to change more than one thing. So, in one way you’ll find out what doesn’t your child like at school, and maybe try to do something about it. On the other hand, having asked this question, your child will think of you more as a friend, who agrees that school has its bad sides too, and will see you less like an authoritarian adult.

If you see that some time has passed and you two are having good conversations, you can try a more sensitive topic like friends, maybe boyfriends or girlfriends. Usually a parent would be the last person to tell an emotional or love problem, but it’s more than sure that a parent could give the child the best advices.

It’s also quite sure that your child is going through some teenage love issues and could use some help, he’s just too proud or too embarrassed to admit it. So be sensitive and try reaching to your child, don’t let the lack of conversation keep you distant from one another.