How do you get your kids to talk to you?

[lizwizz]

My son is having behavioural problems at the moment (see posts below) but we can't get him to talk to us. If we try he just walks off, says we're ganging up on him and won't talk. If we persist it just ends in tears or an atmosphere. How can we get some sort of dialogue going? I feel we need to talk about these problems before they become bigger ones, but he seems happy with things as they are. Maybe we should just leave it?

[MPsoldier]

The parent which most gets along with the child and communicates better should do something the childs likes and really loves and at that point try an ice breaker maybe using a personal example of your own life when you where growing up yet remembering your speaking to a child

[hongkongfuey]

kids hey!? I dont know ?sometimes things are better left . Kids will generally talk in time especially if something is bothering them that much?. Does your child have a behavioural problem or is he mearly being a child in a world that is constantly changing and forever putting pressure on kids to grow up and apply themselves. I know that as a mum I worry alot that am I actually doing my job right? ..only time will tell? hope this helps? good luck!

[dot.hawkes]

take him somewhere stunningly beautiful, like a hill walk or a deserted beach, and let the sheer remoteness of the place make him feel protected in your company, and have a good cry with him.

[spudqueen]

We try and sit down as a family for our evening meal most nights (usually happens 4 or 5 nights a week) which is a great starting point for conversation. It depends on how old your son is but the other time I would try and talk to my children if I thought that something was worrying them was at bedtime, when I could read a story or just go and tuck them in and ask them if everything was alright etc.

[shanx]

tell me about it? my son is 38 now, and i have a daughter who is five years older,when they were younger [both treated the same] my daughter would tell me everything,my son would close up and say nothing,[like his dad] thinks its a boys thing,i know he loves me to bits,in his quiet way.

[lizwizz]

Thanks, I'm sure it will work itself out given time