By: Addison Rives, Contributing Writer
Do you struggle with parent-child communication? Have you ever wondered why your child doesn’t respond well to your advice, and possibly lashes out at you for it? But you know deep down you only want the best for them. So what’s really happening that causes such a rift?
As a child of a well-meaning mother, I have had my fair share of criticisms or comments under the pretense of “well-meaning.” Being in the situation as a recipient has pushed me to understand why my parents would ever “criticize” me for just being myself. This has led me to reflect on why this happens, and how their intentions don’t always guarantee the outcomes they wish for in our interactions.
This is where the importance of healthy parent-child communication really comes into play.
If you feel this issue applies to you—how can you express your care for your child without the pushback you usually receive? Here are three tips to help develop more meaningful parent-child communication:
1. Manage Your Frequency of Comments
While the occasional comment like, “Are you thinking about your future when you do this?” or “Are you putting your best effort forward?,” can be quite helpful in passing, consistently commenting or giving advice often leads to the opposite effect.
By being mindful of how frequently you point out areas for improvement in your child’s life, you may reduce the likelihood of resistance. I, for one, always felt overwhelmed with how often my parents critiqued or commented on anything about me. It built a growing sense of resentment—as if my efforts were invisible under the weight of constant criticism.
This shift in awareness is a powerful first step toward better parent-child communication.
2. Introduce Your Concerns
Instead of dropping feedback mid-action, pause and consider how to fold your concerns into an existing conversation. In my experience, I responded far better when my mom addressed her worries ahead of time rather than springing them on me.
By framing what you have to say as part of a dialogue—not just a comment—you help your child feel a sense of agency and mutual respect. This alone can significantly shift the tone of your parent-child communication.
3. Start a Conversation
This might sound obvious, but many parents unintentionally skip it. Caught up in hopes, fears, and expectations for their child, they can miss what the child is actually saying—or needing.
As a child, I felt much more seen when my mother brought up her wishes, concerns, and feedback in an environment where I was allowed to “talk back.” While some might view this as resistance or disrespect, most children just want to be heard.
At the heart of effective parent-child communication is connection. We are all wired for it—and when children feel safe and trusted, they’re more likely to listen, open up, and grow.
So if your child tells you they feel uncomfortable or attacked by certain comments—listen. Give them the space to express their truth without fear of pushback from the person they need most. That simple shift could change everything.
Begin Parenting Counseling In Katy, TX
If you find that you and your partner want to learn more about parent-child communication, Cheri can help! She provides counseling to individual men, women, and couples. Sessions can be held in person or via Telehealth. We are here for you! To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:
- Contact the office to set up an appointment or to get more information about counseling for individuals and couples.
- Meet with Cheri.
- Find ways to improve your relationship with yourself and others!
Sessions can be held in person or via Telehealth. We are here for you!
Other Therapy Services
Cheri offers counseling services for adult individuals, including: anxiety treatment, depression treatment, relationship help, and divorce recovery. She specializes in couples therapy and helps with specific issues such as: infidelity, intimacy and sexual health, and parenting. Cheri strives to regularly post blogs with helpful information on a variety of mental health issues.
