Parents

I just have to say that parents aren't perfect, neither are children. But they can progress to do better.

With that, I feel an important piece to parenthood is willingness to listen. I know there are times that parents listen to their children when they want to tell a story. But in the heated moments, parents (and children) tend to forget to listen to the other.

In heated moments that lead to arguments the child is really only wanting to be heard, and same goes for the parent. Remembering this both can go into a conversation with the intent to hear all that the other is saying, and not just thinking about what they are going to say. When this occurs both will see the other's view and will be able to understand and then can share their side. Even if you are in a heated moment you can recognize this and just change your tone of voice. Sometimes if it is hard to do, you might want to both take a break, walk away, and come back. Another tip would be to focus on the problem and not focus on blaming the other, and reading their body language to see what they really need, a child might complain, but what they really need is someone to hear and sympathize for them, while others might show interest in wanting to find a solution.

Listen, no matter how painful.