How to Maintain Parent-child relationships

How to Maintain Parent-child relationships

The most important relationship to a child is the one they develop with their parent or caregiver. Children learn about the world around them through a positive parent- child relationship. As they are growing and changing, children look to their parents to determine whether or not they are safe, secure, and loved. It is also the foundation from which they will build their future relationships.

You can build a positive parent-child relationship by being in the moment with your child, spending quality time together, and creating an environment where they feel comfortable to explore.
We have several positive-parenting techniques that can help you strengthen the relationship between you and your child:
1.Be trustworthy.
As a parent, it's important that you build a foundation of trust. Trust translates to many roles in parenting. Of course, your child needs to know that they can rely on you to be there. When you say you'll do something, do it. Keep your word. This helps your child form basic secure attachments that will influence future relationships. However, trust also means respecting your child's need for privacy and keeping their confidences when they do share with you.
2.Show Your Love
Human touch and loving affection is needed at every stage of our lives for healthy emotional and neurobiological development. It is important that your child receive gentle, loving touch (i.e., hugs) from you several times throughout the day. Treat every interaction as an opportunity to connect with your child. Greet them with warm expressions, give eye contact, smile, and encourage honest interaction.
3.Emphasize the importance of family time.
While your children need to know that you acknowledge and respect their individuality, it also counts when you uplift the family as a unit. Make family time a regular and special part of your routine.
Eat meals together most nights of the week, and have everyone share their peaks and pits (i.e. best and worst moments) of the day. Go to sporting events, movies, or community gatherings together.
4.Create parent-child rituals
If you have more than one child, try to make a point of spending individual time with each of them. Quality, one-on-one time with your child can strengthen the parent- child bond, builds up your child's self- esteem, and lets them know that they are special and valued.
5.Stay in touch with academics, friendships, and extracurriculars. Parents who have good relationships with their children are involved in their lives. You can't expect to have a strong bond with your children if you simply say «good morning» and «good night» each day.
It's understandable that you're busy juggling work and other responsibilities, but you should also make an effort to get to know your kids and learn about what's happening in their lives. If you have some free time, offer to volunteer at school, coach a softball game, or meet with your children's teachers regularly to stay updated on their academic performance. Sit down with them as they do homework. Invite your kids' friends over so you know what kind of influences they are around.
Always live happily with your children, loving and understanding each other!