This week on The Spectrum, we are talking to Meg Warren -
founder of the Australian business Key to Kids. Meg is the sister of Amy Piers,
a member of the Kahlon Family Services team.
(1) What inspired you to create your business, Key to Kids?
The amazing course that I attended as a young Mom, "How to Talk so Kids Listen." Its facilitator
engaged me from the instant it commenced - so much so that when I returned to
teaching after maternity leave I kept in contact with her as a
educational/behavioral mentor. She
retired from the course in 2013 and supported me in becoming a facilitator in
her place. I feel passionate about these
skills and feel the need to share them with anyone who works/lives with kids -
it changed my life.
(2) Why did you see a need for adults to communicate
differently?
I guess since learning these new skills it's opened my eyes
to the fact that as adults we don't listen to our kids - I mean REALLY
listen. Unless we acknowledge their
feelings and give them our time - away from iPhones/laptops/TVs - children will
carry the burden of their unhappiness and this will get in the way of their
learning, socializing and growing up. We
need to free our kids to think for themselves and become independent, confident
adults.
(3) How has becoming a parent of school-aged children
changed how you teach in the classroom?
It has given me more empathy for parents!! I think all parents are out there, giving it
their best shot. I try not to judge when
I see other parents struggling (we all have bad days!!) but this makes me
reflect on how SKILLS give us something to work with - which is better than
NOTHING to work with. I also love being
able to share with the parents and teachers that I work with tried and tested
ideas - like 'I tried this with my 7 year old, and this happened'. It's not a perfect world - things don't
always have a happy ending - but it's about reflecting on 'how will I handle it
next time?'. I have created a blog that
has this at it's essence.... I'm not the perfect parent but I'm willing to try
new things and reflect when they don't work for next time.
Meg knows that family life doesn't * always * go to plan.
(4) How have your children responded to a changed approach
in your communication?
Well my kids have been spoken to in this way since they were
very young so they don't notice the difference!
But parents who do the course say their kids can sometimes be skeptical
about a change in the way their parents handle things! But often it's for the better - like they
notice how they have more a voice with their parents - it's a partnership.
(5) What is one piece of advice you'd like to offer to
parents looking for better ways to communicate with their children?
I love Dr Phil's quote 'if you always do what you've always
done, you'll always get what you've always got'. I want parents to know that they are not
alone and there are different things they can try to make their household a
more harmonious one. It's not about
being guilty, admitting defeat or being shamed... it's about improving
relationships with your children... and that is the best gift you can give
them.
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| Meg, with her kids Maggie and Joe - dressing up for school safety day in Australia |
To find out more about Key to Kids, visit www.keytokids.com.au
