Being a Better Parent: Strategies for Strengthening the Relationship
As a parent, you want to be the best one that you can be. You want your children to feel loved and supported. However, as time goes on, it is easy to find yourself going through the motions of parenting rather than putting in an effort for stronger relationships with your kids. With the pressure from society and our own emotions, we often forget what’s essential when raising happy children- strong bonds with both parents.
Parenting is a tough job. It can be exhausting but also rewarding at the same time. Many parents spend their days wondering how they can create the best relationship with their children and get them to listen more.
To establish a healthy relationship with their children, parents must teach them what is safe and secure in the world. When they are young, they look up to these people as role models to protect them from danger without judgement or criticism. By watching others interact with each other positively, they learn how relationships work and react to difficult situations that may arise in the future.
We will be sharing several strategies that have helped us as parents strengthen our relationship with our children!
Make Time for Your Child Every Day and Have a Difficult Conversation
Having no time with your kids may weaken your parenting and the relationship of your family. Spend some quality time with your child to ensure they know that you care and are there for them despite the other distractions in life. Put down your phone, turn off the TV, or close up any tabs on your computer if it’s too distracting. Talking about anything without distractions for twenty minutes or an hour can make a difference – talk about anything, no matter how small!
For parents, having conversations with their children about sensitive topics is never an easy task. When these crucial conversations are avoided, they can have negative consequences for the child later in life, including poor decisions and unintended pregnancies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that if parents delay having this talk, their children may be exposed to misinformation and unrealistic view of how things work in reality when they hear it from their peers or the media before they have it from you.
Rather than waiting to talk to your kids about important matters, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you have ongoing discussions with them throughout adolescence, discussing topics from television or movies as a starting point. The more you create an open space for discussion, the easier it might be to come up with challenging questions that may arise when they’re older.
Ask Them About Their Favorite Things and Do Take an Interest in Their Hobbies
When parents (or adults) are engaged in the activities relevant to a child’s interest, they learn more effectively.
It would be best if you are interested in your children’s hobbies and passions. It makes all the difference for kids when their parents, family members, or friends serve as supportive role models and encourage them to explore their interests. This can make a difference in academic success and peer relations with kids with similar interests or backgrounds. Several studies have shown that kids are healthier overall if you become their friend during homework time and after-school activities like sports. Feeling like someone is on your side will help reduce anxiety which might lead to those risky situations.
Even if you do not understand your child’s interests or hobbies, taking an interest in them will help you and your child form a stronger bond.
Be a Good Listener – Don’t Interrupt or Change the Subject Too Often.
The best way for a parent to connect with their child is through listening. Parents who listen to their children help them become emotionally secure adults capable of handling any situation.
One way to make sure your child feels connected is when you take the time and patience to listen. When they get upset, try not just to solve their problem but show that you are willing and available for anything else. By showing them respect, it will help develop a mutual understanding in our relationship with one another. The more your kids know you are available when they need someone to talk to, the better off everyone!
Focusing on what matters in life – like being attentive listeners – can enhance our lives in a way that benefits us, as well as the people closest to us.
Have Fun Together
Mayo Clinic has reported that there are psychological and physical benefits of laughing. Sharing some laughter with your children reduces stress for both parties.
Play is more than a fun activity for children to enjoy. It is vital for a child’s development. It also helps them communicate and express themselves creatively as well as develop better social skills. The most important thing is that parents can devote their undivided attention to their children during playtime together so that they can experience firsthand all those benefits from someone they love more deeply.
Eat Meals as a Family
Eating together as a family can often lead to great conversation and bonding time with your kids. Don’t rush through meals, turn off phones and other devices, and enjoy each other’s company. Mealtimes offer the perfect opportunity to teach children that a healthy diet affects their physical and mental wellbeing.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it all comes down to spending some quality time with your kids, making a conscious effort to get in tune with your child and what they need from you. It may take some time at first, but once you start building that rapport, you’ll find parenthood is easier than ever before! We hope that these ideas are helpful and encourage you to find what works for you in building a solid relationship with your children.
Spend time listening to their stories and making memories together. It is never too late! Although they might not always want it now, wouldn’t it be better to spend time with them now than to wake up one day angry at the world for not spending enough time with you?
What have been some of the most successful ways that others have established relationships? Let us know!
Charlee
I'm a Mom of two daughters, Freya and Ava. I love to share insights on how parents can be better parents. I write about topics that are relevant to me as a parent: things like parenting style, relationship, marriage, and balancing work and family.
