Being able to listen to our intuition is like having a GPS navigate us on unfamiliar highways. It is the inner voice that warns us about danger or tells us it’s okay to trust. It is a built-in best friend that’s always ready to help when we feel insecure, have doubts, or need direction. It is the voice of the divine communicating with us. As Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote: “If prayer is you talking to God, then intuition is God is talking to you.” Being attuned to our intuition is a crucial skill as a parent and for our children to grow up to be empowered, emotionally balanced, and connected.

So, how can we help our children and ourselves recognize this voice within us and learn to listen to it?

Children are naturally more intuitive; they don’t have the vocabulary to describe what they sense. Often, we, as adults, are the ones who unconsciously undermine their connection and cause them not to pay attention to their inner voice. It starts with little things, like telling them what to eat and how much, saving them from a conflict with another child, and continually telling them what to do and how to do it. Instead, trusting that our children have a working inner compass will empower them to be in touch with their inherited intuition.

Here are a few practical tools we can use ourselves and with our children to strengthen our intuition:

• Ask empowering questions like – what do you think you should do about it? What feels right to you? What would you like to do next? These types of questions will allow our children to ask their inner voice and teacher for advice.
• Get comfortable with silence. Allow silence to exist when you are with your child. We often tend to fill up space with words, questions, TV, music, etc. But learning to be comfortable in silence will help you and your child hear the inner voice better. And as a result, this space won’t feel empty anymore.
• Ask to be guided. Many times, all it takes is merely asking. Pause before taking action or making a decision and ask the universe to help you make the best choice and use the right words.
• Notice the signs. The “voice” of intuition is often not a vocal sound (although some have this gift). It is often expressed as a message when we ask a question through a line in a book, a random person saying something, a bird flying through our window, or a pure sense of knowing. Talk to your children about how our higher self communicates with us creatively.
• Take care of your body. Caring and listening to our bodies is invaluable for being attuned with intuition. When the body is exhausted, loaded with heavy and sugary foods, or achy, it is tough to sense clearly. This is an excellent reminder for us to practice and model self-care for our children.

Nourishing and empowering your children’s intuition is the best long-term gift you can give them!