Mean What You Say and Say What You Mean

In healthy families, people talk to each other...a lot. Such talk, however, consists of both verbal and nonverbal communication. If the two are out of sync, then you have double-speak. Then, your child says, or does, "Wait...whaaat??" Double speak also can get parents in trouble. The world's worst parenting model is, "Do what I say, not what I do." That's trouble waiting to happen. Make sure both your verbal and nonverbal communication are in sync. Point out when you see your child's speak out of sync with something like, "Your words don't match your actions. What else is going on here?" Be prepared to active listen to help him reduce the emotional fever that is throwing him out of sync.