Life with kids can be pretty unpredictable. There are a few things, though, you can count on:
· many teachable moments - opportunities to talk in response to real-life events, something on TV, in music or other media, during a meal, or in the car. These casual, unplanned exchanges can make for some of the most meaningful talks you have with your kids;
· our kids are being inundated with conflicting messages on TV and on the Internet, in music and in advertising - and not necessarily the messages we want them to hear. You can initiate dialogue and raise their awareness by using these teachable moments as starting points for discussion.

Ideally, teachable moments are quick chats in passing - not lectures or long-winded discussions.

When a teachable moment arises:
· ask your kids what they think about the scene/ad/show/situation, what message it is sending, and how they feel about it;
· listen to what they're saying and take your cue from their response;
· remember that if you lecture or do all the talking, it's a guarantee they'll tune out or become resentful.

The key to being a great communicator is to be a great listener - without interrupting. Ask your kids regularly what they think. Listen for opportunities from your kids to talk. Talking and listening to them regularly shows them you care.

Finally, it's often easier and less emotional to talk about a public figure's or someone else's behaviour, rather than your kids' behaviour, and less likely to be taken as a personal affront or lecture. Chances are, if we train ourselves to use teachable moments as discussion starters, our children will be a lot more interested in talking and less likely to tune us out.