“When Fixing His Problems Didn’t Fix Anything, I Finally Learned to Listen.”

The instinct is understandable and strong: When our kids face crossroads and challenges, we want to fix their problems with advice, with lectures, with ego boosts. But what if our ‘fixes’ communicate to them that something inside them is broken? What if we could do more good by simply listening? To validate their feelings, you first have to stop fearing your own. Here’s how.