It is not easy for any parent to introduce sensitive topics to their kids, especially when the children are still learning and experiencing new things. Children are always in the discovery process where they want to explore everything they come across, especially the things that they are restricted to access. But how can a parent open up to the child on sensitive matters?
What Are Sensitive Topics?
It is important for any parent to sit their kids down often and discuss matters that are sensitive to them. When a parent discusses these topics with them, they feel safer, and get to know more about the world. These can include:
·Sexuality
·Family changes
·Behavior change
·Developmental delays
·Social practices and customs
·Scary events
How to Introduce the Sensitive Topics
As parents, we want to share the facts with our kids about what’s happening in the world around them. We also want to be honest with our them when it comes time to discussing difficult topics which are occurring.
But how do you talk about difficult things like war without scaring your children or making them feel anxious?
Understand Your Children and Communicate to Them Nicely
Don’t approach them in a way that will make them feel guilty or suspicious. Just as adults their discussions, you should apply them same with your kids, but in a loving and caring way.
Don’t upset them with rude questions but rather help them realize their mistakes, if they have done something weird, or to have them change their current behavior.
Good Timing
Start the discussion when your child is free to listen, or when they are not playing with other kids. They may feel that you are becoming inconvenience to them and may not pay attention. Also, don’t just jump into those topics when everyone is in the room.
Start the Discussion when They Are Within the Hearing Range
As if you are not getting them involved, and depending on the nature of the topic, you can discuss as parents on the topic that you want to address, and giving examples on how that particular behavior or thing is not a good one, using other examples.
If you start the discussion within their hearing range, it can build up anxiety and make them feel like they should be paying attention to what’s being said even when they may choose not to join.
Ask Them Questions
Ask your child if he or she knows what a sensitive topic is and how much it may affect them before just blurting out everything that has happened or is happening. For example,
“what do you think of what child A has done?
When they give their answer, then it is a good time to help them understand more about the topic.
If you don’t ask, then there’s a good chance that your child may say something which you don’t want to hear such as
“does this mean I’m going to die?”
This is a very natural thing for kids to say, especially when they are scared.
Help Them Overcome Anxiety
Explain things in a way that doesn’t build up fear or anxiety. Let them know that they aren’t going to die, and that even though scary events are occurring, they will be okay.
Let them know that some bad people are doing bad things, but good people are working hard to make sure the bad guys don’t win.
Avoid Leading Questions
Don’t ask leading questions like:
“don’t you think you are…?”
If you ask these types of questions, then your child may answer with a question like:
“so do you want me to…?”.
When this happens, it’s difficult to get away from talking about whatever sensitive topic
has been brought up.
Be Honest with Them
It is important not to answer every question with complete honesty for several reasons:
You don’t want to scare your child, so it is important to give them the right information where possible.
By giving incomplete or vague information, you will make them grow with the wrong picture of the world, or they may feel that you are concealing something, and they will do everything to know what you are trying not to reveal to them.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to bring up sensitive topics with your child as we have discussed. By doing this, then you have the opportunity to help them process what’s going on around them and reassure them that their safety is a priority for you as their parent.
