A Few Ways To Nourish Your Relationship With Your Child To Build A Strong Bond
Connecting is the key to building a strong bond with someone. Therefore, if we want to have a relationship with […]
Cate Staff
Connecting is the key to building a strong bond with someone. Therefore, if we want to have a relationship with our children, we must make the effort to truly connect and get to know them at the core. This means asking questions and having conversations with them from a young age.
4 Ways To Improve Your Bond
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1. Ask Questions
Start a conversation with your little one(s) by asked them open ended questions that boost critical and creative thinking. For example:
- what would you do if you could be invisible for a day?
- what are things that I can do better as your parent?
- How would like to spend the weekend?
Open ended questions allow for you and your child to engage on a deeper level. They also give you insight into your child’s mind, interests and world and vice versa.
2. LISTEN
This is a big one. We all know how it feels to not be listened to and we all know how much we don’t like it. So, if you’re going to improve your listening skills with anyone, let it be your kiddo(s).
For a child to have the undivided attention of their parent is comforting. It develops trust and a feeling of worthiness inside them, which becomes vital for relationship building that they do outside of the family.
When giving your child the proper amount of attention they feel that you are interested in them, that you care for them, as well as their thoughts and emotions. Dedicate quality time each fay to listen to the the stories of their day without judgement. And, pay close attention to their emotions and body language as they share things with you.
3. Be Playful
Prioritize being playful with your little one(s). Doing so will develop a sense of comfort that will go a long way, espcially on days that a more stressful and hectic.
- say that corny dad joke when the opportunity presents itself
- make a game out of things when you can – cleaning the house, driving in the car, etc.
Break up the routine and the groundhog day feel by creating fun ways to get things to get things done. This will not just strengthen your bond but it can also be the catalyst for cooperation.
4. Share Feelings
Validate their emotions to teach them how to validate their own, as well as others.
Having a safe space to communicate thoughts and emotions, especially difficult ones, can help release them of any future burdens and prevent meltdowns.
From a young age (or at any age) ask questions like:
- what has made you feel happiest this week? Did anything make you feel sad?
- what do you enjoy about the school year most so far?
- why did you react with anger when so and so did this?
Children might withhold the keys to a lot of happiness however, their minds are constantly being molded by their everyday experiences. With that being said, we as parents must do our part to be there, be consistent, and follow up from as young as they are to as old as they get.