Building Listening Habits

Listening is a skill: it grows with practice and erodes with nagging. Once your child responds, make it pay off so the habit sticks.

• Notice and name it: "You came the first time I called — thank you"
• Offer trust: "I know I can count on you for this"
• Make it mutual: build a home where everyone listens to everyone, parents included

When listening earns warmth and trust instead of more demands, your child has a reason to keep doing it.