{"id":210742,"date":"2024-08-28T07:44:42","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T12:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/navigating-inner-and-outer-voices-the-importance-of-listening-to-your-child\/"},"modified":"2024-08-28T07:44:42","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T12:44:42","slug":"navigating-inner-and-outer-voices-the-importance-of-listening-to-your-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/navigating-inner-and-outer-voices-the-importance-of-listening-to-your-child\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating Inner and Outer Voices: The Importance of Listening to Your Child"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Control. Have you found yourself longing for it lately?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

When life feels uncertain, we often grasp for control in any way we can.
\nYou might hyperfocus on cleaning up the house.
\nYou might micromanage a project at work.
\nYou might even criticize your spouse for the way they do\u2026just about anything.
\nAnd then, there\u2019s trying to get your child to \u201cbehave.\u201d<\/p>\n

The belief that children should be controlled and should act according to our wishes usually stems from our own childhood experiences. And when kids don\u2019t behave as we expect, it often feels personal:<\/p>\n

They\u2019re driving me crazy.
\nThey\u2019re making me frustrated.
\nThey\u2019re not listening to me.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re so focused on how our children make us feel, but what about them?<\/p>\n

If they\u2019re not listening to you, who are they listening to? What are they listening to? Why can\u2019t they just do as they\u2019re told?<\/p>\n

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The truth is, children are often listening to something inside themselves, just like everyone else. Have they been silencing their inner voice all day at school, only to find that they just can\u2019t do it anymore? Or maybe they\u2019ve buried their feelings to follow orders at school, and now they\u2019ve collapsed into a flood of emotion because they can\u2019t dismiss those feelings any longer.<\/p>\n

Children might not have learned the skills to \u201cget bigger than what\u2019s bugging them.\u201d They may not know how to connect with their feelings and be present with them in a way that communicates complete self-acceptance. This is why listening to the child\u2019s voice is so important. Understanding\u00a0why listening to your child is important<\/a>\u00a0helps them feel heard and respected, and can significantly influence their emotional development.<\/p>\n

Rumi, the Persian poet, expressed this beautifully in his poem\u00a0The Guest House<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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The Guest House<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This being human is a guest house.<\/em>
\nEvery morning a new arrival.<\/em>
\nA joy, a depression, a meanness,<\/em>
\nsome momentary awareness comes<\/em>
\nAs an unexpected visitor.<\/em>
\nWelcome and entertain them all!<\/em>
\nEven if they\u2019re a crowd of sorrows,<\/em>
\nwho violently sweep your house<\/em>
\nempty of its furniture,<\/em>
\nstill treat each guest honorably.<\/em>
\nHe may be clearing you out<\/em>
\nfor some new delight.<\/em>
\nThe dark thought, the shame, the malice,<\/em>
\nmeet them at the door laughing,<\/em>
\nand invite them in.<\/em>
\nBe grateful for whoever comes,<\/em>
\nbecause each has been sent<\/em>
\nas a guide from beyond.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Even as adults with years of training, it\u2019s important to stay mindful of our feelings, to treat them like visitors passing through. No matter what arises internally, curiosity and interest in our inner experiences are key. The way we speak to our children becomes their inner voice. By cultivating a skill of \u201cBeing With,\u201d we can listen to our feelings without becoming them.<\/p>\n

When we are centered and aware of ourselves, we can hear what each part of us feels and wants without letting any one part take control. This awareness allows us to guide our actions thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.<\/p>\n

Of course, when we\u2019re overwhelmed by a particular feeling, it can lead to behaviors like throwing a temper tantrum, riding a scooter through the house, or sneaking out after curfew.<\/p>\n

Supporting your child in developing an awareness of their inner world helps them to \u201cget bigger than what\u2019s bugging them,\u201d allowing them to accept all parts of themselves without letting any one part dictate their behavior. Understanding the\u00a0benefits of listening to children<\/a>\u00a0also allows us to better guide them in managing their inner voices and emotions.<\/p>\n

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Understanding the benefits of listening to children and their inner voices helps us see how they are navigating both the outer voices in their world and their inner voices. When your child says \u201cno\u201d to you, they might be saying \u201cyes\u201d to something inside themselves. Get curious about what they are saying \u201cyes\u201d to within themselves.<\/p>\n

Developing a strong sense of self is crucial for your child. You want to raise a confident adult who can advocate for their own needs. But without the right guidance, there\u2019s a tendency to judge what inconveniences you and to try to control your child\u2019s behavior. Remember, no one makes us feel a certain way \u2014 our feelings are our own.<\/p>\n

Every parent I\u2019ve worked with has tried to control their child in some way. But with awareness and effort, you can change your behavior and transform your relationship with your child. And, interestingly, when parents focus on understanding rather than control, children often start listening more. The way we speak to our children becomes their inner voice, influencing how they perceive themselves and the world around them.\u00a0How we speak to kids affects their inner voice<\/a>, shaping their self-esteem and confidence. By fostering a positive and encouraging environment, parents can help their children develop a strong, healthy inner voice that will guide them throughout life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Understanding your child’s inner world is crucial. When they say “no,” they might be saying “yes” to something inside themselves. Discover why listening to your child is important and how it shapes their inner voice. Click to learn more and start fostering better communication today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":210741,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10921,12329,10906],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-210742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-and-wellness","category-parenting","category-personal-development"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210742"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210742"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210742\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/210741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c-suitenetwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}