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Simple Tips To Bridge The Generation Gap
When was the last time you placed yourself in your kid’s shoes and tried to see things from their perspective? Try these simple tips to rekindle the loving relationship you once shared with your child and bridge the generation gap.
Do you remember the times when you and your kid had loads of fun playing a board game or coloring a picture together? But as time passed by something changed. You suddenly get the feeling that your kid is talking in a language that you don’t understand. In fact, you both talk in a language that neither of you seems to comprehend anymore.
While your kid says words like ’bro’ and ‘slay’ you wonder what happened to ‘hello’ and ‘yes’ and many more such words that you thought belonged to the English language.
A change in language is just one aspect of a generation gap. A generation gap is a difference in preferences, lifestyles, and perspectives. Language just trails behind and can be considered more of a symptom than a problem. The differences create a communication gap and a lack of empathy and understanding between parents, grandparents, and their children.
Blame it on the fast pace at which the new generation is evolving or the resistance by the older generation gap to keep up with the change, no family is spared from the pangs of a generation gap unless the parents or the kids make a conscious effort to compromise and come to a meeting ground.
If you are reading this blog there are chances that you are confused as to why your kid won’t understand what you are trying to say and storms away most of the time. You have probably been through stages of frustration and disappointment and have questioned your parenting abilities a million times.
The good news is that like any other problem, this one however huge it may seem has a solution.
Here are a few tips that may help you make a beginning.
1. Keep the lines of communication open: Communication works, every time. Instead of ordering your kid or yelling at them to get the work done, how about taking a minute off to breathe deeply and talking to them about why you are so keen on asking them to do something? But mind you, if you have chosen open communication then you have to encourage your kid to open up and share their thoughts as well and you must listen to them.
Maturely sharing your feelings too instead of yelling sets a good example for your kid to process their emotions and have a calm conversation with you to work toward a solution.
2. Do activities together: This is a tricky one. If only your kid would spend time with you. But you need to realize that your kid isn’t spending time with you because you don’t enjoy what they like to do anymore and vice versa. As a parent, you can try taking the initiative and join your kid for something they genuinely like such as watching a football match, playing on PS5, or enjoying a movie together, etc. You never know, the fun times you had before may just be rekindled and you both may get an opportunity to rediscover your bond again. Additionally, there are chances that once your kid notices that you are making an effort to be with them, they may just want to join you next time for your evening walk or a shopping trip.
3. Learn to be more accommodating: You may not agree to everything your kid wants to do but before reacting, how about trying to be a little more accommodating of their wishes and learning to let go? It may not be as easy as it sounds but you can begin one step at a time and acknowledge their preferences be it in the choice of music, outings, clothes, etc. Your kid wants to be heard and accepted at the end of the day and when you accept your child’s wishes, the bond between you grows. There may be some things that you may not agree upon but by choosing your battles with your children you stand to win some important ones.
4. Avoid comparing: Comparing your kid with another who seemingly is more obedient only makes your kid upset, unaccepted, and drift away from you. It is crucial for parents to love their kids for who they are and not what they want them to become. Respecting their individuality makes kids more confident and helps them evolve into better adults. Nagging is another way of ruining the relationship with your kid and doesn’t let you have your way anyway. Like it or not, kids work at a different pace and what may seem obviously acceptable to you may be the right option for them.
5. Ask for their opinion: As parents we all have done this at some time or the other. We discuss ‘serious’ family matters and when our teenager tries to offer some solution we ignore them and ask them to ‘stay out of the matter’. This can make the child feel unheard and unwanted and can affect their self-esteem levels. Giving them a chance to speak, hearing them out, and acknowledging their input is a great way to help them grow as confident adults and build trust between you and them.
To conclude, bridging the generation gap may seem like a huge task but starting with simple steps can pave the way for improved understanding and cooperation between you and your kid and help you both enjoy a more fulfilling bond.
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BY: Sukino
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