FAITH BASED CONVERSATIONS

Show respect
How would you feel if you were involved in something, and somebody suddenly demanded to have an in-depth conversation about something entirely different. Learning to choose the right moments to talk shows respect to your kids. Let them finish that game or drawing. Then start your conversation.

Establish a regular time and place
Maybe it’s dinner time, but whatever time or place you choose make it regular and the same so your kids know what to expect. And get rid of all distractions, television, iPads, phones, etc etc. Don't be satisfied with asking, "How was your day?" Go the extra step to open lines of communication.

Get creative
How was your day? Is a great question; it' just lends to the one word answers like fine, ok, but you want to know more. So  get creative with how you ask about their day, fo e.g:
• Tell me something unusual that happened today.
• What was the most amazing thing that happened at school today?
• Complete this sentence: My day would have been more exciting if...

• Is there anything that happened today that made you upset or angry etc.

 You could also have your kids write their own questions. Place their questions in a bowl and have each person draw a question to answer. For more fun, play the "Telephone Game." Have a child privately share something about his or her day and then pass it on. When it gets back to that child, see how much the original "conversation" has changed.

Be specific
Instead of the general question, ask about specific relationships. Ask about tests. Ask about what you talked about the previous night. Show your kids that you not only care, but also that you remember. To do that, you have to listen, and then discuss what's been talked about before.

Have fun
Sometimes the day really was just fine. That's fine - even if you don't want it to be. It's during those fine times that you can branch out and talk about upcoming family events, holidays, and other stuff.

In the end, the conversation is about reminding your children that their first outlet can and should be their parents as our first outlet is God, who always listens and cares.

It’s awesome to talk to your kids, to know what they’re thinking, to find out who they are. And all the non-intimidating questions are a great way to get a little glimpse inside their hearts from day to day, which is invaluable. However along with these very important questions there are other -  as -  important questions we can also be asking.  

You can also be talking to your kids about God and the ways you and they see God at work in the world around you and in your daily lives.

God is at work, even when we can't see it and even when we don't notice! God is doing good things in, through and for us all the time so count on it, anticipate it and look for it. Include God in your family discussions, talk about who God is and ways God is at work in your own hearts and in the world around you today.

Now talking about God everyday when it’s not a habit may seem daunting. So pick one day a week to start - Sunday lunch, Thursday supper? Put a reminder on your calendar or in your phone. The more you do talk about God, the more you’ll want to talk about Him. Pretty soon you won’t need that reminder anymore!

This will lead onto more questions, and your kids may have questions of their own and as they get older those questions will become more difficult, but we encourage you to embrace the questions and the open conversations as this helps your kids discover their faith and own it.