Transcript
0:00 Hi, Dr. Becky. I know this experience is common in Filipino and Southeast Asian culture. And in my own family, communication wasn't something that we practiced. And being a good kid usually meant being obedient, saying yes to your parents without question. And expressing your your feelings or having a different opinion was often seen as disobedient. So my question is what advice would you give to mothers who are still learning to strengthen their own communication skills and who want to raise children who feel confident and comfortable expressing themselves. If you grew up in a home where obedience was the goal and you want to teach your kid to have a voice and be more confident, we actually have to practice speaking up ourselves.
0:43 We can't teach our kid a new skill if we're not having it within ourselves. If it's hard for you to speak up, you have to start there. But think about it in a small way. Maybe a friend says, "Hey, do you want to meet at this restaurant for lunch?" And you don't really want to go there. And you say to your friend, "You know what? I'm not in the mood for that food. Can we go here instead?" When you practice that, it is going to be so much easier to help your kid find their voice because you won't be as triggered by
Summary
- Communication in some cultures prioritizes obedience over self-expression.
- Parents must practice speaking up to teach their children effective communication.
- Start with small interactions, like suggesting alternative plans to friends.
- Building confidence in self-expression helps reduce parental triggers when children voice their opinions.
- Encouraging children to express themselves fosters their confidence and emotional intelligence.
- Open dialogue within the family can create a more supportive environment for self-expression.