{"id":9058,"date":"2021-09-13T18:03:59","date_gmt":"2021-09-13T18:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esperanzaunited.org\/?post_type=cde-knowledge-base&p=9058"},"modified":"2026-02-27T06:37:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:37:50","slug":"how-do-i-prepare-pt-2","status":"publish","type":"cde-knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/esperanzaunited.org\/en\/knowledge-base\/our-community-says-no-mas\/how-do-i-prepare-pt-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I prepare? Pt. 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How do I prepare? Part 2<\/strong><\/h3>

To prepare for a conversation with your children about a potentially difficult subject, it\u2019s important to remember that as the adult, you must guide and model healthy communication.<\/span><\/p>

Talk openly<\/b><\/h4>

Encourage open, honest, and thoughtful reflection. Allow children of all ages to express their ideas, expectations, questions, and concerns. Be careful not to dismiss their ideas as \u201cwrong\u201d or \u201cchildish.\u201d Rather, encourage dialogue by asking them to tell you more or describe how they arrived to a certain conclusion. Children, especially teens, will look to you for information, advice, and answers only if they feel you are open to their questions and thoughts. It\u2019s up to you to create the kind of environment in which your children can ask questions about any subject freely and without fear of consequences.<\/span><\/p>

Give positive feedback<\/b><\/h4>

Give positive feedback when you see or hear of your children making healthy and respectful choices about their own communications (including practicing good listening) and relationships with friends and family. Tell your children you are impressed when they do things that reflect your values. You can say, \u201cI admire the way you helped your sister today, even though you were annoyed. What made you react that way? It was very mature and I like it when you\u2019re kind to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Encourage questions<\/b><\/h4>

Be courageous. If your children are old enough to ask a question, they are old enough to hear the correct answer and learn the correct words.<\/p>