Open Letter to Parents

One of the most important things a parent can do is to be able to communicate with their children. Parents need to be able to tell when their child is acting different and know how to approach them to find out what's bothering them so they can help. However, the child has to be open to sharing their feelings as well. This is why it's very important for parents to be very sociable and open with their children from when they're very young. If they don't grow up feeling comfortable talking to their parents, they won't learn that on their own. They need to feel that their parents care about what they have to say in order for them to want to tell their parents. Parents need to take a real interest in their children's lives so they feel like they can tell their parents anything. It's important, even when they're very young, to ask them how school was or take an interest in who their friends are. When the child is upset about something, even if it's small and not significant, the parents should comfort the child and tell him or her that it will be okay. Children need advice from their parents throughout their entire lives, from the small things to big life changing decisions. Parents, of course, aren't perfect and won't always have the right answer or give the right advice, but the child needs to know that they can rely on them to try their best to help in any situation. If a child doesn't feel like he or she can go to their parents for anything, they will find someone else to look to, and many times that person will not be a good role model. Communication is the key to a healthy relationship. Parents need to make themselves available whenever their child needs them. They will bond and build a lot of trust for each other.