tone.

it's one of the choices you get to make. so many times the tone chosen can out do the words themselves. be careful when choosing both. for there have been many times when talking to both of my kiddos that the tone chosen has been off-putting. perhaps it's because i'm your mother that i bare the brunt of it and pray.* (*even praying for myself as i too have chosen the wrong tone)

perhaps the best way to avoid being off-putting is to be quick to listen and slow to respond. this is a lesson that typically comes with maturity, but if you can learn it sooner rather than later i'd say you'd be one up on your peers.