Written by: TFVstaff • December 17, 2019• Parenting

Habits to Strengthen a Parent-Child Relationship

There’s something transformative about moments with our children. Whether it’s the power of a meaningful conversation or the joy of having your child finally open up to you, that connection makes parenting worth all the sacrifices. Connection is the reason relationships thrive throughout the years, trust is the reason tough things get shared, and love is any relationship’s foundation. However, a parent-child relationship isn’t always full of these moments of connection, and we can often feel as though we’re losing it. If you want to create or keep a strong bond with your children, then implement a few of these tips to encourage connection and compassion. Take a look at our favorite habits used to strength a parent-child relationship.

Start Speaking Affirmations

This may seem small, but affirmations are one of the best ways to build trust and support between you and your child. Simple statements like saying how proud you are of them can bring a buoyancy and confidence to their life that may be hard for them to get elsewhere. The key is to say these affirmations in a meaningful way—if you’re not being honest about them, your child will notice. If they know they can come to you for support, they’re more likely to turn to you with their struggles.

Aim for Physical Connections Every Day

There’s a quote by family therapist Virginia Satir that showcases the importance of daily physical connection: “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” Though that may seem like a lot, especially for older children, these moments of physical touch are vital for creating a solid parent-child relationship. If not hugs, pats on the back and rubbed shoulders are great ways to get your children to open up.

Turn Off Technology When Interacting

When you have any sort of interaction with your children, you need to turn off technology. One of the main reasons children are so interested in phones, TV, and the like is because they see how often we use it. If you want to have a meaningful conversation, then you need to turn off the things that can inhibit those.

Embrace Emotions

Emotions are tough. As adults, it can be hard for us to show our emotions, and for children, it can be hard to process them in a way that makes sense. Either way, they’re difficult. However, no matter how tough, talking about and feeling through emotions together is one of the best ways to deepen the connection between parent and child. If your child is crying, show empathy and sit by their side. If you’re sad, don’t push it away because your child is around. Let them see you open up, and they’ll open up themselves.

Seek Out One-on-One Time

Do your best to seek out one-on-one time with your children—this is one of our favorite habits to strengthen a parent-child relationship. This time should be away from technology, emotion-friendly, full of affirmations, and should include some physical connection. This is a time for active listening, laughter, and fun. Take your time and enjoy each other’s company. The more one-on-one moments you have with your children, the better!

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