Do you think the world would be a better place if all parents actually listened to their kids?

Question

Is our world spinning out of control because of the broken homes and kids that are left behind? If parents actually listened to their kids and were involved in their day to day lives would our kids be more adapted an less antisocial?

I work with teenage kids everyday and I have found that 90% of the kids like being talked to and not at. I listen to them when they talk to me, but I also set the limits and uphold the rules, and those 90% really thrive. I have two teenagers myself... 17, and 14 both boys and I found since working with other kids that I am a better listener, and my kids appreicate it. I agree with setting limits.. you do need to be the parent, but sometimes you just need to listen.

Answer 1

I think the world is spinning out of control because of lack of involvement on both sides. Another thing is that society has become much too lack of parent's ability to correct their children. This day and age if you look at your kid the wrong way you could end up in jail for child abuse. This is so wrong. I do not believe in child abuse of any form but i see nothing wrong in warming the backside when it is needed.

Answer 2

I read your explanation and I agree 100%. People in general parents, non-parents everyone is so self involved now they don't have time for anything. Not even to sit down for a meal and listen how their day was...really I do think it's the demis of this country. When my son was in daycare I would watch parents pick up their kids and not even hang up their cell phones, or putthem in the car and pop on the dvd. Like Hello you haven't seen your kid all day and you aren't the least bit interested in them and their day???
My kids are still young but we as a family sit down often and talk about just everything. We even play board games! I want to know who is best friend is, how the lunch line works at school, what game he played on the playground...and for the life of me I can't figure out why other parents don't.
But you know it happens more than we probably even know. If parents knew what was going on perhaps they would be less school violence, etc. But this self important society is just breeding kids that are either 1- self important to or 2- have no value on their lives or others lives. I hope that changes I hope this generation that I belong to (x generation) that are now having kids is seeing this and make this change.

Answer 3

I think you should be careful how much you listen to your kids. Remember, you're the parent and the adult. Yes, I do think it is important to listen to your kids and be involved in their lives by asking questions and doing things together. But too many parents are trying to be their kids best friends rather than their parents. Tryin to be best friends will only lead to a competition between yourself and you child's friends and usually the parent loses. But if you genuinly show you care by disciplining with love, and being involved in all aspects of their lives, you can have a healthy relationship with your kids.

Answer 4

Of course they would. They can't learn strong family values from parents that ignore them. If parents cared more about their children and less about their jobs we might not have so much crime in the streets. Parents these days seem like they cannot be bothered with what their kids want, like, or do. Me, I enjoy watching what my kids like to watch on t.v., I listen to the music they like with them and even bump it for them when I drop them or pick them up at school, lol. It makes them feel like they matter. Like I care about what they like. We share these common interests and we do things like family movie night too. My 10 year old will come home and tell me that he was passing notes in school and although I don't want him to do this and told him that, the fact that he feels he can share with me lets me know that I am doing something right. So, to answer your question, yes. Parents should listen to their kids but kids should also listen to their parents. Take care.

Answer 5

I think the world would be a better place if parents remembered their own childhood before making decisions involving their children. I know I definitely will when I'm a father.

Answer 6

Broken home or not we all have choices.... I listen to my son, we are friends with limits.Even his friends talk to me. My son is in his late teens and has been raised by me alone.It is not a traditional form of raising a child,but I will say it has saved many sleepless nights and fights are few... Tradition is a hard thing to loose when you have so many saying "if it was good enough for me it's good enough for my kid." So in my eyes - Yes you are right. Oh,and my boy is going to go to college and wants to major in music and journalism. I am very proud.

Answer 7

Many times there are reasons for parents divorce that the children don't know about and the parent doesn't think they should know about. Often the children are better off with the split and they just don't know it until they are older and can more fully understand the situation.

Answer 8

sure do that is why i listen to mine..let them have their input and let them do what they have earned the right to do. trust is big with me I am like this..I dont care what u have done wrong... as long as u dont lie to me..I may not like it but we can n will get thru it but if i dont know i cant help u. no matter what we dont have any secrets. I give advice and set limits but if they feel the limits need adjusting then we talk bout it. my kids are 16,15,14

Answer 9

I think that if kids listened to their parents that the world would be a better place!!

Answer 10

ABSOLUTELY. A parent can be their kid's best friend and influence them in so many positive ways. Kids like to be validated and treated fairly and above all don't want tp be lied to.