Struggling to connect with your teenage child? See 10 ways to strengthen a parent-child relationship

Are you feeling like you are way too distant from your child? Are you feeling like you might never have that bond you see between your friends and their kids? Or maybe you feel you have failed as a parent? Strengthen your parent-child relationship in these 10 ways.

It’s okay to feel this way, it’s a little overwhelming to raise a child. But there are very easy and straightforward ways to strengthen a parent-child relationship.

There is no secret handbook to strengthen a parent-child relationship and there is a guarantee you will encounter hardship along the way. However, as a parent, you must keep trying and working to improve that relationship.

Keep reading to see 10 ways to strengthen a parent-child relationship.

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Here are ten easy ways for parents and children to strengthen their ties.

1. Make Your Love Known

Human touch and loving compassion are required for healthy emotional and neurological development at all stages of life. Therefore, it’s critical that you give your child gentle, loving touch (hugs) multiple times during the day.

Every interaction with your child should be viewed as an opportunity to connect with them. Greet them with friendly expressions, maintain eye contact, smile, and encourage open dialogue.

2. Have fun with them.

Laughter and roughhousing stimulate endorphins and oxytocin in both of you, keeping you connected to your child. Making regular laughter a habit also allows your child to laugh out his concerns and upsets, which would otherwise cause him to feel alienated and more prone to act out.

Play also encourages children to collaborate. Which is more likely to work: “Come eat your breakfast right now!” or“Little Gorilla, it’s breakfast time — Look, your oatmeal has bugs and bananas on it!” obviously the second!

3. Set aside time for one-on-one conversations.

Make whatever arrangements are necessary to spend 15 minutes with each kid separately every day if you have more than one.

During that time, alternate between doing what your child wants and doing what you want.

Pour your affection into her/ him on her/ him bad days and let her/him lead. On your days off, avoid the impulse to schedule activities. Rather, engage her in any physical exercise or game that makes her laugh.

4. Pay attention and empathize.

Listening is the first step in establishing a connection. If you have to, bite your tongue. Except for some short remarks like, “Wow!” I see… Really?… How did that go for you?… “Please tell me more…” don’t say anything

If you get into the habit of viewing things from your child’s point of view, you’ll treat her with respect and strive for win-win solutions.

It will assist you in understanding the motives behind actions that would otherwise drive you insane.

It will also assist you in regulating your own emotions so that when your buttons are pushed and you find yourself in a state of “fight or flight,” your child does not appear to be the enemy.

5. Put your phone away.

You’re probably swamped with work and your phone is trapped in your hand. Or maybe you just want to check out your Instagram feed. Regardless, switch off all electronics and spend some quality time with your family every day.

It may take place in a park, a garden, or even your homeroom.

Use this time to interact with your child, ask them about their day, tell them about yours, and pay attention to their stories, no matter how odd.

You’ll forget how many people liked your Facebook post, but your children will cherish the time they spent with you.

Trying this on older kids can be a little more difficult because you’ll have to pry the device away from them. Set some ground rules for your family, such as no cellphones at the dinner table or a daily screen time limit.

Plan and execute activities with your family at home, in the garden, or even outside. You can visit museums, art galleries, the local market, gardens, and nature trails together.

6. Collaboration and Participation

Involve your children in various duties and activities, whether it’s grocery shopping or monthly budgeting. We inadvertently dismiss their assistance and miss out on a wonderful opportunity to get to know them.

Consider the potential for annoyance. Allow them to assist you with housework if they volunteer.

If your child offers you their thoughts, pay attention to them and consider them. It will instil confidence and self-assurance in a child.

You might inquire about their ideas when out shopping for a dress or shoes. You might end up buying a weird pair of jeans, but your youngster will understand that you respect his/her opinion.

7. Make a code word or a special name for yourself.

Make a nice name for your child or a secret code phrase that you can use to communicate with each other.

Use the name as a simple reminder of your affection. The codeword can be used to remove a child from an uncomfortable circumstance (such as a bad sleepover) without causing the child excessive shame.

8. Create and Maintain Bedtime Routines

Reading bedtime stories to children or reading them stories establishes lifetime routines. Bedtime is a time of separation, and having a bedtime ritual helps children feel more secure. Because bedtime may be the only time working parents spend with their children, make it as relaxing and joyful as possible.

Once your children have learned to read, have them read you a page, a chapter, or a small novel.

9. Allow your children to assist you.

By not allowing their child to assist them with various jobs and duties, parents may unknowingly miss out on possibilities for intimacy.

Unloading groceries after a shopping trip is an example of something that children of all ages can and should help with.

When children assist, they feel powerful.

10. As a family, eat meals together.

You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s crucial! When you eat with others, it creates an atmosphere conducive to conversation and sharing.

Turn off the television and take your time eating. When your schedules allow, take the time to actually converse and enjoy each other.