Communicating with “Giraffe Ears” | Transforming Parent-Child Conversations
Workshop Description
Parenting can stir deep emotions, especially when a child’s words feel hurtful or challenging. But often, what sounds like defiance or frustration is simply an expression of unmet needs or emotions they don’t yet know how to articulate. The real challenge lies in how we interpret their words – through our own filters of past experiences, beliefs, and emotional states.
When we feel hurt by what our child says, it’s not just about their words—it’s about how our filters shaped our interpretation. This workshop introduces “giraffe ears” – a method of listening that moves beyond words to uncover the emotions and unmet needs beneath them. Instead of reacting emotionally, we’ll explore how to pause, reflect, and approach these moments with curiosity.
By shifting our perspective, we can break free from knee-jerk reactions and respond with greater empathy. This reduces misunderstandings, strengthens communication, and deepens the parent-child bond.
Key Skills You’ll Develop:
🔸 Empathy & Active Listening – Understand that your child’s words often reflect their unmet needs or emotional struggles.
🔸 Recognizing Your Filters & Triggers – Identify how your past experiences and emotional state shape the way you interpret your child’s words.
🔸 Curiosity Over Defensiveness – Shift from reacting emotionally to asking:
🔸 What in me is being triggered by my child’s words?
🔸 What underlying need might they be expressing?
🧡 Reflect: Think of a time when you misinterpreted your child’s words because of your own assumptions. How might you have responded differently with curiosity?
🧡 Reflect: When your child expresses frustration, can you look beyond their words to recognize their deeper emotional needs? How might you respond with empathy instead of reacting from your own emotions?
Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you will:
Gain awareness of how your filters shape your interpretation of your child’s words.
Recognize when your emotional reactions stem from personal triggers rather than the true meaning behind your child’s message.
Develop skills to listen with empathy and curiosity, uncovering the emotions behind your child’s words.
Shift from defensive reactions to thoughtful, compassionate responses, improving family communication.
Foster a more empathetic, connected family dynamic by learning to respond to your child’s needs – not just their words.
What your child says isn’t always what they mean – and how you hear it makes all the difference.
Join us to explore how your own filters shape your reactions, and learn to listen with empathy, curiosity, and emotional clarity.
Because when you tune in to what’s beneath the words, you strengthen trust, connection, and understanding.