As a parent, you want to have a strong, healthy relationship with your child. You want them to trust you, to enjoy your company, and respect you. Letting your kids know that you love them and support them is a great foundation for a healthy relationship, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be challenging times between the two of you that can cause tension in your relationship. A lot of teenagers try to break away from their parents and yearn for more independence as they move into young adulthood, and this can often be some of the most difficult times for parents. However, you can still have issues with younger children who might be upset with you too, and below are some tips to help you deal with these circumstances.
Give Them Some Space
If you can sense that your child is angry or upset with you, your first instinct might be to talk it out with them. While having a conversation with them to clear the air is essential, giving them some space is also important. If you have argued or had to discipline them, give them some time after the incident to calm down. It might only take an hour or so, or you might have to wait a little longer if they are older and are still angry the next day. Once you have both had some time to recover from the argument and get your thoughts together, then you can try to instigate a conversation with them. If you are a foster parent and are concerned that you’re not bonding with your foster child as well as you’d like, visit thefca.co.uk for more advice on how to connect with them.
Listen to Them
When the time comes to have that conversation with them, don’t be the only one who does the talking. Let them tell you how they are feeling and actively listen to them. While what you hear might be difficult, or perhaps they are saying things that you don’t agree with, try to respect their position. If they can see that you are listening to what they have to say, this will make them feel safer with you and understood. It can also help you both to avoid having the same disputes again in the future.
Tell Them You Love Them
If you want to rebuild your relationship with your child, a good place to start is by letting them know how much you love them. They might not say it back to you straight away, but in time these words can bring you closer together again. Praising them when they have achieved something is another good way to help your child see that you are proud of them and can help them to start feeling more positive about you again.
If you are worried about your relationship with your kids and there appears to be tension between you, it’s important to try and get things back on track. It might take some time, but consider the tips above and try them out. They could help you reconnect with your child sooner than you might think.
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