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Listen with curiosity not judgment.
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Avoid communication blocks such as unwanted advice, commanding, placating,and interrogating.
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Respond to an upset child with empathetic tentative observations.
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Know your child and have realistic expectations.
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Emanate warmth and gratitude. Focus on the positive rather than areas that need improvement.
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Consciously choose beliefs that build connection so you gain greater influence because controlling children does not work.
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Ask yourself, “Is what I am about to say or do going to build or break my relationship?”
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See the relationship as lasting a lifetime, so make the causes now for building trust, honesty, and unconditional love.
Common Sense Media does research so parents can made informed media decisions.
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Copyright 2015 Cynthia Klein is a Family Success Coach who teaches how to create greater cooperation and peace in their home. Contact her at , 650.679.8138 or her website at bridges2understanding.com.
Copyright © 2026, Cynthia Klein, All rights reserved. Please contact Cynthia to use any of her blog post.
About Cynthia Klein
Cynthia Klein’s mission is to contribute to World Peace and building healthy family relationships is the place to begin. As a parenting expert for over 30 years, parents have learned from Cynthia how to communicate more effectively as an ally rather than an adversary. Her unique Family Harmony System teaches parents of 5 and older how to have open dialogue, solve problems together, support one another, and build mutual respect. Cynthia is the author of Ally Parenting and the video-based self-paced program Win, Win, Win, Parenting. She has presented over 700 talks and coached hundreds of parents privately towards greater family connection and harmony. To learn more about her services of coaching and speaking, contact Cynthia Klein at , visit her website at bridges2understanding.com.
