Communicating as a Parent: How Well Do You Know Your Child?

Answer these ten questions, then check your answers with your child. You may be surprised at your child's answers. Young people change their minds about things frequently. Last month's answers may not be the same as this month's. You can use this test at different times as a sort of barometer for how well you and your child are communicating. In addition to telling you something about how well you know your child, this self-test will actually encourage communication with your child as you discuss your answers.

Name your child's teacher(s).

What is your child's favorite subject in school?

What about his or her least favorite subject?

What is your child's favorite color?

Who is your child's best friend?

What is your child's favorite television show?

What is your child's favorite song? Do you know some of the words to the song?

What toppings does your child prefer on a pizza?

If your child could take a trip to any place at all, where would it be?

What does you child want to be when he or she grows up?

Scoring:

If you answered 9 or 10 questions correctly- congratulations! You know your child well. You talk to your child regularly, and your child talks to you.

If you answered 7 or 8 questions correctly- good for you! You know your child fairly well, but could benefit from spending a little more time talking with and listening to your child.

If you answered 5 or 6 questions correctly- you've got some work to do. Perhaps you aren't very involved in your child's life. Perhaps your child isn't very communicative. Welcome to adolescence! Make time to spend with your child, and make a point to communicate. If you find it difficult to talk to your child, or difficult to get your child to talk to you, you're not alone. Make an effort to learn more about communicating with kids.

If you answered 3 or 4 questions correctly- it's time to wake up! You don't know your child well at all. Problems are likely to develop, if they haven't already. Take immediate steps to correct the problem. You need to learn how to communicate with your child, and you need to make time for communication.