Avoiding the Dead Space
I hate the dead space. The dead space is that time when you are in the car with one of your kids and you just can’t seem to get more than two words from them. With my younger sons (my 8 year old twins), it is nonstop talking, but not so with my older kids.
I really have to prod with my older kids to get them to open up. Do you know what I mean? As kids get older and move into their teen years, they become more guarded and introverted. Conversation becomes harder. Just at the time when we need to know what our kids are thinking they clam up.
It is just frustrating, I realized it was easier to bypass my frustration, if I had ready quiets. Young kids could get points if you are not able to guess their responses. For instance, you might ask what was the most exciting thing you learned in school today? Even if your child does not like school, the child will be focused on finding something positive to say. Try it.
When I first tried it with my little talker, Judah, he had so much to say and even thought of different questions to ask.
Some questions:
Tell me five things that you like about yourself and five things that you hate.
What is the weirdest and craziest thing you have ever done in life?
If you were granted a wish to become a superheroes, which one would it be?
Do you have any role model?
Do you look up to any celebrity or personality?
What is the one thing that you feel most passionately about in life?
Do you live by any life motto or bible verse?
Has there been any incident in your life, which you think has had an impact on the way you think or live your life?
If you won a lottery of one million dollars, what would you do with it?
Derek is the founder of Intentional Dad, He enjoys helping fathers connect intentionally with their children. When he isn’t engaging his children in some intentional task, he spends his time working on his honey-to-do list and watching old movies.
I really have to prod with my older kids to get them to open up. Do you know what I mean? As kids get older and move into their teen years, they become more guarded and introverted. Conversation becomes harder. Just at the time when we need to know what our kids are thinking they clam up.
It is just frustrating, I realized it was easier to bypass my frustration, if I had ready quiets. Young kids could get points if you are not able to guess their responses. For instance, you might ask what was the most exciting thing you learned in school today? Even if your child does not like school, the child will be focused on finding something positive to say. Try it.
When I first tried it with my little talker, Judah, he had so much to say and even thought of different questions to ask.
Some questions:
Tell me five things that you like about yourself and five things that you hate.
What is the weirdest and craziest thing you have ever done in life?
If you were granted a wish to become a superheroes, which one would it be?
Do you have any role model?
Do you look up to any celebrity or personality?
What is the one thing that you feel most passionately about in life?
Do you live by any life motto or bible verse?
Has there been any incident in your life, which you think has had an impact on the way you think or live your life?
If you won a lottery of one million dollars, what would you do with it?
Derek is the founder of Intentional Dad, He enjoys helping fathers connect intentionally with their children. When he isn’t engaging his children in some intentional task, he spends his time working on his honey-to-do list and watching old movies.
