An open-ended question (as mentioned before) is the best 'beginning' tactic to a new complaint. I'm sure most parents do a great job listening the FIRST time...but kids usually don't stop at once. They complain and complain and complain!
That's when we tend to shut down communication with, "You already told me that yesterday." Or, "Remember, I told you I would talk to your school?". Or, "No you don't. All the kids will be bigger than you."
The best tactic I suggest when working with parents is to stop answering the "why can't I?" part of the complaint and focus on the emotion or motication for re-asserting it.
For example: "Rough day, huh?"
or "Are you worried about being bored again?" or "Did
something happen at school today?" or "You seem really frustrated."
Last edited by Evemomma; 08/16/12 10:35 AM.
