How to Teach Your Teen the Art of Face-to-Face Connections
How to Teach Your Teen the Art of Face-to-Face Connections Here’s a question for you to ponder: Are we as parents doing all we can to prepare our teens for high school, college or the workplace? Are we doing all we can to best support the next generation so they can function in the best way possible in the real world? Are we supporting the next generation by way of offering them pivotal life skills? What I’m talking about is developing face-to-face communication skills, in an age where it is becoming a lost art. We are all experiencing a unique time in history, no doubt about it. We are also searching to create a new sense of normalcy as well. It’s more about physical distancing than social distancing. We need to connect and interact socially now more than ever. And when it’s safe to connect face-to-face, that’s even better! Here are some tips on how to teach your teens the art of face-to-face interaction and become better communicators. Have mutually beneficial conversations I will make a basic assumption that we all like to be understood. One main factor to really understanding someone is by listening. Some quick tips on how to fully engage are to ask clarifying questions. It is always OK to ask questions of anyone you are talking with, such as, “I really want to understand your point, would you mind saying it again for me?” Or perhaps you can ask them to rephrase it in a different way so that you understand. Instead of offering (pretend) nods of understanding, ask for clarity! Don’t interrupt, listen more and talk less. It’s easy to talk. When we talk, we are sharing what we already know, but when you truly listen, you may learn something. One quick tip I’ve used with teens to work on listening skills is creating a for-fun mock TV or radio interview. I have my clients create a short list of three questions to ask, but I always stress one key point to them. I emphasize for them to listen to the answers very carefully instead of thinking about the next question to ask on their list. This small adjustment tends to bring big results. By doing this, you truly put a focus on actively listening to someone and this small habit can be applied to real-life job interviews. How to have hard conversations Most of us, not just today’s youth, will inevitably need to
9 Mother’s Day Gifts She’ll Love
9 Mother’s Day Gifts She’ll Love So, this is a weird Mother’s Day, right? Instead of brunch out or a big family dinner, you might have to send your love over a Zoom call. The good news? You can still show how much you appreciate and adore Mom with these gifts that can be easily ordered online and delivered straight to her home —and her heart. Conair Unbound Auto Curler Just because she may not be going out, doesn’t mean she won’t want to look her best. This cordless hair curler creates luxurious curls and beautiful beachy waves anytime, anywhere. It’s rechargeable so Mom can pack it in her purse when she’s finally able to hop a plane and come visit you! $129.99, conaircanada.ca Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask Bring the spa experience home to Mom with this innovative jelly-pudding mask that replenishes and revives dull, dry skin with explosive hydration. She can put her best face forward on Mother’s Day when she wakes up with a radiant and dewy glow, just in time for your family’s Zoom call! $45, sephora.com/ca Quo Beauty Flash Dry Nail Colour Perfect for the DIY mani-pedi, this two-coat, fast dry nail polish is long-wearing and creates a smooth, hard finish on nails. It comes in 30 gorgeous shades. $11, beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca/ Google Nest Hub Max Perfect for the home chef or video call queen, the Google Nest Hub Max is perfect for catching up with the family, finding new recipes or even just displaying family photos. All she has to do to get started is say, “Hey Google.” $299+, store.google.com/ca/product/google_nest_hub_max Roku® Streaming Stick™+ Perfect for binge-watching her favourite show, the Roku Streaming Stick sets Mom up for streaming free TV, live news, sports, music, movies and more! She’ll not only love the picture-perfect quality, but she’ll also adore the feature where she can search her show of choice via the voice remote! $70, roku.ca iRobot Braava jet m6 Bid adieu to the mop and broom! This Wi-Fi-connected Braava jet m6 robot mop delivers fresh, clean floors throughout the entire home – learning, mapping, and adapting from room to room. Using Imprint Link Technology, the Braava jet m6 also teams with Roomba s, i and 900 series, and automatically starts mopping after vacuuming is finished. $550, shop.irobot.ca/ Vivier Anti-Aging Program Give Mom the gift of glowing skin with Vivier’s Anti-Aging Program. The program reduces fine lines and wrinkles, aging and expression lines, while at the same time improving your skin’s moisture,