“No one ever listens to me!” and “you just don’t get it!” seem to be two of the most commonly used phrases in a girl’s vocabulary, am I right? For generations, girls have felt misunderstood. So how are you, as her parent, making her feel heard?

It’s becoming more and more common to see parents simply ignoring their children, instead giving their devoted attention to a tiny smartphone screen. It’s time to put down the phone, and engage with our kids! Your daughter is full of emotions, stories, and questions—all it takes is a little one-on-one time to connect with her!

Plan a “date” with your girl, especially if she isn’t your only child, to better connect. Apply skills like reflective listening, a technique where you inject what she’s saying back into the conversation, to ensure she truly feels heard. A trip to the nail salon or ice cream shop are great places to talk and more importantly… listen!

Listen to the Raising Godly Girls Minute with Patti Garibay: