Why don’t Saudi family members talk to each other?

By Zakiya Al-Heji We all say that we love our children who are the dearest things in our life. However, do we, as parents, understand the fundamental principles of raising children and how to deal with our children properly? I think most of us do not. In fact, many parents are unaware of the mistakes they commit while raising their children. There are countless research studies on the best ways for parents to deal with their children, but parents seem to know nothing about these methods. Parenting is not only about providing for one’s family. The duty of parents is not only to buy material things for their sons and daughters, but also to take care of them in all possible ways. Making the wishes of one’s children come true by buying them what they want will not make them happy forever. There is more to upbringing than that. I am not going to pinpoint the negative methods of upbringing used by fathers and mothers in our society. However, I will focus on one factor, which is, unfortunately, widely common in our society: it is the absence of families speaking to each other. A few decades ago, parents used to spend quality time with their sons and daughters. Children could speak to their parents and discuss matters with them. Dialogue is important for the stability of any family and for a healthy relationship between children and parents. Through dialogue, fathers can enter the world of their sons and daughters and take a closer look at what is going on in their minds. It is through dialogue that fathers and mothers can win the trust of their children and become their friends who can be let in on their secrets. This will result in parents and their children trusting each other. Sadly, modern technology and social media have undermined our relationships with our children. We are influenced by the latest technology to the extent that we cannot stop using our cell phones even when we are sitting with our children in the same room. It has become a part of our lives. Nobody can deny the great benefits of modern technology. However, we need to realize the importance of speaking to each other in our homes.