Yesterday, my son was eager to tell me about something that happened at school, but I was distracted and not paying attention.
I was actually just making a coffee!
(Not even working or doing anything important!)
I didn’t realize this was happening before my wife told me.
My son started to open up and share more about what had happened. He was excited, and I could tell that he wanted to share his experience with me.
Quality talks can happen at any moment.
I want to develop a habit of, whenever possible, stop what I do and listen – whenever my son is ready to tell me about his day.
An important lesson for me:
Too often, he’s not ready to share his day when I ASK about it.
I just gotta stop and listen when HE’S ready.
As I started to LISTEN, I could see the excitement and happiness in his eyes.
I realized that I can’t plan these moments.
I can’t predict when. These moments happen when they happen. It’s up to ME to be ready for them.
Being a dad is hard work, and there are always distractions and things that need to be done.
But in that moment, I knew that this was the most important thing.
I needed to give my son the attention he deserved, and I’m so glad that I did, eventually.
It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to take a moment to connect with our kids. But those moments are what make being a parent so special.
It’s the conversations we have and the memories we make that will stay with us forever.
I want my kid to remember me as a father who always had time for him.
So, my advice to all the dads out there is to be on the lookout for those moments.
You never know when they’ll happen, but when they do, they’re worth dropping everything for.
When Do Kids Open Up?
Kids will open up in the weirdest different situations, but some of the most common include:
#1 During playtime:
When kids are engaged in activities that they enjoy, they may be more likely to share their thoughts and feelings.
This can be anything from playing with toys to running around in the park.
#2 Before bed (or in bed):
My kid feels more relaxed and open at the end of the day, especially when he’s winding down before bedtime.
This can be a good time to have a chat and see how they’re feeling.
Fun Tip:
For kids aged 2-7 try and grab a teddy and let it ask the questions – then the kid will often open up instantly! More tips like this are in this blog post.
#3 During car rides:
In the car, they’re strapped in and cannot move.
Use this to your advantage!
It’s often quite easy to get them to talk in the car – as long as we’re present and pay attention to what they want to talk about.
#4 When doing “stuff” together (anything really!):
Anything from baking cookies to drawing can be a great opportunity for kids to open up.
When you’re doing something together, they may forget about play and start talking about what’s on their mind.
#5 When they need comfort:
When kids are feeling upset or after you just comforted them, they are often more likely to express themselves.
I hope this will help you find these magical moments!
Like What You Read? Get My Weekly Newsletter
If you’re not already getting my newsletter, you can do that here: