Norton Children's shares strategies parents can use to connect with their kids

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It takes a lot of adjusting to get kids back in a routine for school after summer break. One of the problems you may be facing is how to talk and connect with your children during that adjusting period.

Norton Children's Dr. Katy Hopkins visited WDRB Mornings on Monday with some strategies to try on your kids.

Have you every asked your kids how their day at school was and all you could get out of them was a single-word answer?

Hopkins said some of it has to do with timing and some of it has to do with the types of questions you ask.

"Think about when you get home from work," Hopkins said. "You need a couple minutes to decompress before your kids come to you with questions."

Let your kids lead the conversation and come to you when they're ready. Hopkins also said that more specific questions instead of, "How was your day?," tend to work better.

If you sense that your child has come home from school with a conflict or rejection and they're able to open up about it, the first thing to do is not talk about solutions.

"Encourage them to lead and respond with kindness, even if it is tough," Hopkins said. "Let them know it's okay to take breaks with a friend if there is a conflict."

A little perspective is always a good thing when it comes to your kids.

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