How often are we listening to understand instead of listening to change? Research shows that most conversations we have are one way; meaning that we are only listening to gain information for ourselves to then reply. When people don’t feel heard or understood, especially children, they tend to get louder to try to communicate how they feel or what they need. Simply validating a person by reflective statements can help a person feel understood, aligned with, and most importantly heard. 

Children and adolescents are constantly trying to navigate through a range of emotions, and as a parent, this can be challenging. Validating these emotions allows your children to explore the full depth of their emotions.