Communicating With Your Child Using Door Openers vs. Door Slammers

When talking with your child, use the following ‘Door Openers’ to keep communication open and non-judgmental.

Door Openers

• "What do you think?"
• "Tell me more about that."
• "That's a good question."
• "I don't know, but I'll find out."
• "I'm interested in what you are saying."
• "Do you know what that means?"
• "That sounds important to you."
• "Do you want to talk about it?"
• "I'm here when you want to talk."
• “What do you think you would do if…?”
• “How was your day?”
• “What did you like the best about…?”
• “Then what happened?”
• “How do you feel about…?”

Door Slammers

• "No."
• "Don't talk to me in that tone of voice!"
• "You are too young to understand."
• "If you say that again, I'll … "
• "That's none of your business."
• "I don't care what your friends are doing!"
• "We'll talk about that when you need to know."
• "That's just for boys/girls."
• "Why are you asking me that?"
• "You don't need to know about that."
• “Because I said so.”