Parent to Parent: Better communication skills

Use your inside voice. Sit nicely. Put on your thinking cap. Did you hear these phrases growing up? Well, they probably confused you then as much as they do your kids now.

Carol Garhart Mooney/ "Use Your Words"
"We have to be careful about clichés, terms of expressions that adults understand but someone who doesn't speak English for instance would be as clueless as a young child about what we're trying to say."

Carol Garhart Mooney is the author of 'Use Your Words' which doles out helpful ways for parents to talk to their children.

Mooney says parents can be too vague or try to be clever instead of getting to the point.

Carol Garhart Mooney/ "Use Your Words"
"They’ve broken a pile of dishes and a parent might say ‘I told you to stop running, I hope you're happy now.’ Well, children don't get sarcasm. And the child's like ‘I hope you're happy? What does that have to do with the bad look on mommy's face?’"

Mooney says use direct words if you want your kid to stop doing something. Say "stop," "no," or "that hurts."

Carol Garhart Mooney/ "Use Your Words"
"We need to give children words that will help them understand what we expect from them."

For starters, make sure you have your kids’ attention by getting down to their level and establishing eye contact.

Mooney says that by being more direct you'll teach children to express themselves better when they grow up.

Mooney says start building better communication skills from the very beginning. An example for new parents, walk around saying what things are. Give names to things, like a chair or a couch.

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