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Some people - possibly those who are not parents themselves or do not feel the urge to bond with children - may question the point in so much as bothering to try and communicate with a child. Others may believe it a waste of time trying anyway. Still more might consider the attempt pointless, as children are so very below them both mentally and socially... However, none of these views are often shared by parents. They themselves feel the importance of communicating effectively with children - both their own and others - and realise that this interchange can simultaneously avoid arguments, help them to understand their child more intimately and, for lack of a better excuse, to simply bring them closer to their children and, consequently, enjoy the relationship much more.

So, how is it done? There are, in fact, many ways - and not all merely verbal. For example, in my opinion it is important to have physical contact with a child from a very young age; (if started later in life the child is often confused and unsure of such proceedings). Hugs, cuddles and kisses should be exchanged between parents and children, which helps the child rely physically on the parent and also allows them to feel the kind of love and affection that words are sometimes unfit for. For instance, imagine that you are a teenager, alone and heart-broken over some small happening which at the time seems life-draining. If, as a child, you were cuddled and consoled in a physical manner, you would not think twice about letting a parent hold you close and let you sob your soul out on their shoulder; which is, as many will agree, by far a more effective remedy than words in such cases. Supposing, though, that you were unused to such contact. That, crying in to your pillow with no one to come and cuddle you and make you feel secure again, only a slow hopelessness, and the feeling that no one is there at all to catch you when you fall at such times. I personally know many people with this huge gap in their parent bondage, and suffer in such circumstances because of it. I must state clearly that I believe physical contact, therefore, to be an essential point in parent-child communication.

Secondly, honesty and respect. For all intents and purposes they are actually similar things: or they come down to being. It is easy enough to demand your children to "give you respect" or "don't lie!" - but why shouldn't they if that's the example they get set? Parents have to always be able to tell their

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