Building Strong Relationships with Children 2021
Building Strong Relationships with Children
Positive relationships between parents and children: Why are they important?
Children learn and develop best when they have strong, loving, positive relationships with parents and other carers.
That’s because positive relationships with parents and carers help children learn about the world – whether the world is safe and secure, whether they’re loved, who loves them, what happens when they cry, laugh, and much more.
You can build a positive relationship with your child by:
being in the moment with your child
spending quality time with your child
creating a caring environment of trust and respect.
There’s no formula for getting your parent-child relationship right. But if your relationship with your child is built on warm, loving, and responsive interactions most of the time, your child will feel loved and secure.
Being in the moment: how it supports positive parent-child relationships
Being in the moment is about tuning in and thinking about what’s going on with your child. It shows your child that you care about the things that matter to them, which is the basis for a strong relationship.
Here are some ideas for being in the moment with your child:
Show acceptance
Notice what your child is doing and comment on or encourage it without judgement
Listen to your child and try to tune in to your child’s real feelings
Stop and think about what your child’s behaviour is telling you
Let your child lead play by watching your child and responding to what your child says or does
Support your child’s ideas
When your child expresses an opinion, you could use the conversation as a way to learn more about your child’s thoughts and feelings, even if they’re different from yours
‘Quality time’: why it’s important in positive relationships
Positive relationships between you and your child are built on quality time. Time together is how you get to know about each other’s experiences, thoughts, feelings and changing interests. This shows that you value and appreciate your child, which is great for your relationship.
Quality time can happen anytime and anywhere, in the middle of ordinary days and situations. These moments give you the chance to communicate positive messages with smiles, laughter, eye contact, hugs, and gentle touches.
You can make the most of time together by minimising disruptions and distractions. This can be as easy as putting away your phone. It helps your child know that you’re really keen to spend uninterrupted time with them.
There might be times in your family life when it’s not possible to have a lot of time with your child every day but planning some regular one-on-one time with your child can help you make the time count.
Trust and respect: how to nurture it in positive relationships
Trust and respect are essential to a positive parent-child relationship.
In the early years with your baby, developing trust is important. Your baby will feel secure when they learn they can trust you and other main carers to meet their needs. This sense of safety and security gives your child confidence to explore the world.
Trust and respect become more of a two-way street as your child gets older.
You can nurture trust and respect in your relationship. For example:
Be available when your child needs support, care or help
Stick to your promises, so your child learns to trust what you say
Get to know your child and value them for who they are
When your child expresses different opinion from yours, listen without judging or getting upset
Allow the relationship to evolve as your child develops, and your child’s needs and interests change
Set up some firm but fair family rules
Want to improve your relationships?
We can help
For Professional Confidential Counselling contact us on
Gauteng & Other regions: 0861 776 227 admin@procare.co.za
Western Cape: 021- 8 730 532 procwc@procare.co.za
Read more:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/connecting-communicating/bonding/parent-child-relationships