We are quick to jump in with responses and ideas about how to deal with all kinds of things. It is natural to have an answer, especially if you think you have all the good news to tell and the answers to give. Sometimes it’s harder to stop and just reflect on the scene. We should spend a little more time listening to what others have to say before we respond, but instead we sometimes jump in. Are we truly prepared to give the best response or to selfishly take the scene from others?

There is wisdom in slowing down and reflecting before jumping in to conversations with haste. This is also so important around your child. They know that you have much to say and will have opinions around many of the things they do. I invite you to consider slowing down rather than jumping in. Give them the right to reply first. Let them see that you don’t speak in haste.

Consider:

As the saying goes, "some things are better left unsaid". Here are a few parenting tips which discuss this topic and could assist communication with your child.

If you are quick to give answers, your child will learn quickly that their opinions are second rate and the possibility of them seriously engaging in opinions slows down. Give them space to respond and that way they know their opinions count.
Let them know that you are interested in how they respond. Give them a look to say that you are reflecting on what was said and would welcome their thoughts. You are giving them room to have an opinion.
Sometimes when we jump in quickly, we can respond in not the best way and feel disappointed with what we said. This can happen with our child and we soon regret how we spoke and what we said. A moment’s silence in gathering thoughts before responding can be so advantageous in not using damaging or careless words.
If your child sees that you stop and evaluate what it is you want to say, they learn that being reflective before speaking is a great tool. It enables you to speak with more care and consideration of the other person. Also it is very effective modelling as a parent.
When we respond to chatter are we doing it to emotionally feel connected, selfishly to feel that your opinion is strong or prematurely to feel part of the group? The more certain we are of ourselves, the less we need to prove in responding inappropriately or too quickly.
Show your child that you respond when ready, not rushed and when you have thought through what you want to say. The timing of words matter.
Point out to your child the people who are very reflective respondents to conversations. Let them learn that quickly coming up with a response can lead to things being said that are not appropriate or necessary.
It is an advantage to slow down responses so some things may not be said that could lead to further distress or simply are not necessary to say at all. Sometimes not having a lot to say can be a good thing. Better no harm than using careless words. Better less words with greater depth of meaning.
If you are a person who thinks through your responses carefully, your child will come to understand that what you have to say has much value. They will see you as a very sincere person, who says things only with meaning, purpose and when necessary. This teaches them that over chatter does not have the same impact or value as sincere words that have been thought through. Could it also imply that people who have a lot to say are given less credibility than people who speak with simplicity and only what is necessary to say?

Finally how often have we heard, ‘He is a man of few words but when he speaks we listen.’

‘Silence speaks when words can’t.’
- PinInterest