Monday, April 21, 2008 Cayading: The importance of listening By Trinidad Cayading Parenting Pinoy
THESE thoughts on listening are taken from the book "Richard Evans'Quote Book" (Publishers Press, 1971) pg. 26
"How often you hear a little child complain...'you're not listening!" And how easily the mother replies, "What do you want?" And mostly the child does not really 'want' anything, only to communicate.'"
Parents, no matter how busy you are, take time to listen- to children, young people, others! Sometimes they are reluctant to seek counsel because they receive impatient replies.
"Why do we parents so often say, "I'm busy now,'" asked Robert M. Neal. "Why do we...not realize that a child is like a sunbeam, here for a moment and then gone somewhere else."
Talking-listening-patience, willingness to learn enough before jumping to quick conclusions: Sometimes in just letting them talk and using us for listening, they will come soberly, safely to their own conclusions.
But when two people both talk at once, when they cut each other short, or when they don't talk at all, there aren't likely to be any satisfactory solutions.
Yes, it takes time to listen, but it takes more time to correct mistakes once they have been made.
With too many misjudging, too many making mistakes, with too few taking time to listen, counsel cannot seem as satisfactory as it should.
"The key is communication," reported a Time essay. "'Can't you see I'm busy?"...ought to be banned. 'Listen' ought to be [implanted] over every parent's heart."
If only we could feel we have been heard! If only we would listen when we should! Richard L. Evans
Listen -- REALLY listen to your children and spouse today! Happy listening, parents!
