By Jai Institute for Parenting
•
March 1, 2025
Ever catch yourself thinking, “Why won’t my child just listen to me?” (Raising my hand right there with you.) But here’s a gentle question to consider: How well do we listen to them? And let’s take it even further… How well do we listen in our daily lives? To our partners, friends, colleagues, or even strangers? If we pause to reflect, we might notice that true listening… Deep, present, and wholehearted listening is a skill many of us were never taught. Too often, we’re forming our response while the other person is still speaking, distracted by our own thoughts, or simply waiting for our turn to talk. But real listening is something different. It’s a gift . It’s a way of seeing and understanding another person in a way that builds trust, empathy, and connection. And the best part? It’s something we can learn and model for our children.