How Not to Listen - Avoiding, Playing Down

Attempts to ignore your child's FEELINGS, attempts to ignore your child's PROBLEMS are often very subtle.

Examples of Avoiding and Playing Down:
Praise
Sympathy
False reassurance
Humour
Sarcasm
Open avoidance

"I agree; they could make school more interesting if they wanted to"
"Don't worry and fret so much. High School will be interesting next year"
"That's too bad. They make it hard to learn, don't they?"
"But you're such a good student and have such great potential!"
"Why don't you take it up with the school? I can't do anything"
"Won't it be funny when you are a school teacher? You'll see it differently then"
"Don't bother me - I am trying to write a letter"

Children treated these ways often tend to confide in friends, or others who wait and watch for when your child is vulnerable so that they can manipulate your child. Friends will accept, your child's FEELINGS, they will support your child's BEHAVIOUR whether it is right or wrong.