Create deliberate channels of communication with your children – Cleric

Parents have been advised to always create deliberate channels of communication with their children in order to develop lasting intimacy and understanding with them.

A Christian Cleric, Mr Joshua Ayodele, of the Anointing of Christ Church, Ilorin, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin on Friday.

Ayodele explained that allowing communication gaps in the family, especially between parents and children, could ruin intimacy and make children to close up to their parents.

According to him, most parents do not listen to their children or allow them to express their feelings.

“The communication gap between most parents and children are too wide.

“They don’t entertain their complaints or opinions, thereby, leading to children sharing their challenges with friends.

“Every parent should create time for his or her children and engage them in real gist, asking them questions where necessary.

“If you allow them to express themselves, they will have confidence in you and as well share their challenges and experiences with you.

“When you frown at them always, it is dangerous, because they will seek advice from friends, which can lead to regret,” he said.

The cleric, therefore, advised parents to relate well with their children in order not to push them into learning from their immature peers.

He also warned that with the mind of children being flexible, parents should be available to guide their children’s decisions.

“When you allow your children to be free in expressing themselves to you, they will reveal things and even seek your opinion before taking some decisions,” he said.