“A parent not only raises a child,
but invests in their future
and the future of this world”.
Becoming a child’s best friend right from the early years, leaves a deep and long term positive impact on the parent child relationship. While growing up, a child experiences and explores new things which need to be shared. Unsure of the reactions, he/she is scared to share his/her feelings. It’s crucial for parents to know that being affectionate and patient, and showing tolerance can make a child kind, respectful and confident.
“To be a friend to your child is to have a relationship with them and it doesn’t have to wait till they are adults”. It’s good to give your child a voice in who they are at an early age as love and understanding allows imperfection and encourages growth.
To build a foundation of communication with your child, opens multiple ways of learning and growing from the child. So, to learn from your little ones or young ones is the way to go by being their best friend. It is a unique bond that lays the foundation for the child’s personality, life choices and overall behavior.
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6 benefits of parent-child relationship include –
1. Positive relationships with parents promote a child’s mental, linguistic and emotional development.
2. It also helps a child exhibit positive social behaviours.
3. A secure parent-child relationship helps a child to regulate emotions in difficult situations.
4. Day-to-day healthy involvement of parents lay the foundation for better social and academic skills in a child.
5. Children with a healthy and happy friendship with parents develop happy relationships with others in their life.
6. With a positive parent relationship, a child attains a healthy social, emotional, cognitive and motivational development.
“Parents aren’t the people you come from. They are the people you want to be when you grow up” and there is no friendship or relationship like that of a parent for their child.
To build a healthy and strong relationship with a child, JBM, a school in Noida Extension encourages parents to change and adapt as the child grows. The role of a parent as a nurturer, teacher, mentor, friend, family manager evolves as a child needs in different phases of life. It is essential to start a parent-child relationship well to stay well.
There is no secret book or planned guide to get this relationship right and stay strong. With time, hardships, bad days, the communication you are likely to find a way of improving your relationship and surely your child will blossom.
Also Read: Ways to Prepare Your Child for a School Interview
6 positive techniques to strengthen your relationship with your child include –
1. Shower love
No matter what age your child is, they should be told how much you love them without any condition. This will surely make your relationship with the child positive and strong.
2. Listening and Empathizing is the key
Acknowledging a child’s feelings reassures that you are there with them through thick and thin. Listening makes the child happy and confident of what he/she does. We can foster mutual respect by being a good listener.
3. Setting certain rules finds a way
To learn and grow, a child needs proper guidance and structure. It is alright to break the rules at times but let them know the consequences.
Also Read: Why Preschool Education is Important?
4. Give distraction-free time
Good communication habits are built when you set aside time with your child without any distractions. Spending quality time together is crucial to let them know that they are your priority and they mean the most to you.
5. Eat at least one meal together
A family that eats together stays together and makes strong bonds.
A great opportunity to teach children about the importance of a healthy and balanced diet affecting their overall mental health.
6. Make parent-child rituals
One-on-one time with a child nourishes the relationship and builds up a child’s self-esteem. It makes them feel that they are worthy and special.
Parents speak life into their children by letting them know about the incredible things they can do and what wonderful living beings they are.
Also Read: Benefits Of Co-Education in School
What are you waiting for then?
Friendship that lasts a lifetime is with your own child.
Be amazing.
Be responsive.
Be a listener.
Be an empathizer.
Be sensitive.
Be a friend.
