There are times that one of the greatest tools of parenting is a simple smile.

a smile to show that you are there, that you are all ears … A smile that welcomes.

one that shows that you are paying attention…

that shows that you are there and that though a situation may be tense, you accept that their feelings are real.

that shows that you are ready to listen without judgment.

that shows that you respect them and are interested in what they are doing.

There are times that moods can be tense and anger is building and words can only make things escalate but that small smile diffuses the situation, lets tears come though and brings a child to your arms and makes their feelings finally come through…

It is such a small gesture that can say so much…