Image: Shutterstock
The bond between parents and their children is irreplaceable. As a parent, you know when your infant child is happy, sad, hungry, or hyper without your child having to tell you. You know what to do to make them feel better if they are having a bad day and you know how to keep them entertained. But as they grow older, they become a little harder to read. Hence, parents resort to measures that might not serve them well. You tend to invade their space and as a result, push them away from confiding in you. This is a situation we are all too familiar with. Therefore, let’s look at a few ways in which you can strengthen your relationship with your children so you can naturally bond with them, rather than demanding them to.
1. Listen To Them
Image: Shutterstock
Many times, parents tend to assume that they know what is best for their children and as a result, they fail to listen to them. As parents, there is no denying that you know what’s best for your child. But sometimes, all it takes is to listen to them and understand what’s on their mind to know why they think or act in a certain way.
2. Spend Quality Time
Image: Shutterstock
There is nothing a kid values more than spending quality time with their parents. Most parents are so caught up in their work and careers that they forget about the value of quality family time. You could set aside a particular time once every few days to solely dedicate to your child.
3. Treat Them With Respect
Image: Shutterstock
Your children might be small but they are still human beings. When you treat them with respect, they tend to have high regard for you. Most often than not, children feel bad about their bad behavior when they have parents who treat them with respect and value them.
4. Reward Their Achievements
Image: Shutterstock
Who does not like to feel validated? Just like you feel great about yourself when your boss appreciates your hard work, your children too like to be rewarded for their achievements. Positive reinforcement and encouragement go a long way with children and they might even perform much better at school, sports, and other extracurricular activities.
5. Avoid Punishment
Image: Shutterstock
It is important to correct your child’s ill-mannered behaviors. But it has to be done sensibly so that your kid understands that it is a consequence of their bad behavior. Avoid punishing your kids because you expected better from them or because you had a bad day at work and they did something small to tick you off. This confuses them and they tend to act out more than before.
6. Reason It Out
Image: Shutterstock
When your children do something wrong, sit them down and tell them why it’s wrong and what they should and should not do. This way, you’re explaining to them why they are wrong rather than just punishing them when they don’t understand it. You might even escape future mishaps when you explain to your kids why they are wrong.
7. Avoid Invading Their Privacy
Image: Shutterstock
As parents, it is natural to want to know everything about your children so that you can protect them if needed. But when you have teenage kids, it is best to give them privacy to an extent so they don’t feel suffocated. Respecting their privacy also lets them know that you trust them which only does your relationship good.
8. Consider Their Opinions
Image: Shutterstock
Kids love to be treated as adults. A good way to strengthen your relationship with them is to seek their advice on things and consider their opinion. This makes them feel valued and important. If you’re planning to go to a restaurant, ask them where they’d like to eat. Even small things like this make a difference to kids.
9. Set A Good Example
Image: Shutterstock
Always remember that kids primarily learn by example and not just by what you teach them. If your children see you losing your temper often, being tardy, or being untidy, they are going to pick up on those things even if you teach them otherwise. Therefore, always set the best example for your kids so they can emulate your best behavior.
It is surely not easy to be a parent but the bond you build with your kids determines the relationship you have with them for a lifetime. Therefore, it is important to build a healthy and strong relationship. Comment below and let us know if you agree with our list.
