Being a parent is one of the most demanding tasks in the world.
This is one reason why parents scour the face of the web searching for tips and hacks to make the parenting life easier. However, parents rarely realize that above all the tricks they could do in raising kids, the most integral aspect in raising happy children is establishing a healthy parent child relationship.
A positive parent child relationship is the single most crucial factor that affects the physical, emotional, and social development of a child. These parenting principles play a significant role in nurturing kids’ temperament, behavior, and overall life choices.
The problem is, despite its fundamental importance, this is barely the focus when relating to children. And that may cause a slump in the relationship that might last indefinitely.
This is the reason why we want to cover the concept of the parent child relationship. We aim to provide you with essential tips on how to revitalize this connection with your kids.
What you Don’t Know about this Generation’s Parents
In order to understand the fullness of a parent child relationship, we need to understand the facts revolving around them. According to Orlov in 1996, there are two major types of families in a parent child relationship: First, the person-centered family, and second is the socio-centered family. The key differences between the two are highlighted in the table below.
A report from Ngai & Cheung in 2009 suggests that a democratic parent child relationship, as observed with person-centered families, are more likely able to raise children with:
-
Better mental health
-
Secured sense of identity
-
Resilience against stresses
-
More flexible behavior
-
Improved academic performance
However, there is a vast difference between the parenting system of the 20th century and today. Both with their respective perks along with their flaws and limitations, parents are not perfect after all.
In the past, parenting principles revolved around overprotectiveness, overreactions, and the lack of parental direction. During this era, we saw parents negotiating with kids to get them to act accordingly. Whether it’s through the use of money, gadgets, or opportunities. This grows into a sense of entitlement and a false sense of security among kids. Eventually, parents realize the severity of this kind of relationship once kids reach maturity when their behavior is no longer excusable in society.
While parenting principles today are geared towards treading lightly on how to treat children. The parent child relationship is no longer as structured as it should be. And while this freedom can be liberating for children, it does not help in instilling the necessary skills and mechanisms to face the real world. Kids expect that the world will treat them as their parents do. This often leads to an underdeveloped level of independence, to effectively address life’s challenges.
Finding the right balance of freedom and restraint, compassion and strictness, love and discipline will play a big role in a positive parent child relationship.
Tips to Improve your Relationship with your Kid
Here are some tips that you can do to help improve your parental relationship with your kid!
Make every interaction worth it
Do you recall those moments when your child just stays in the kitchen while you cook? They don't say anything nor do stuff. This might be their way of asking for your attention without being too pushy. These moments are precious chances in order to make a worth it connection with your kids.
For healthy emotional development, a show of affection is necessary. It is your duty to treat every interaction with your child as an opportunity to deepen and strengthen your bond.
What to do: Always greet them with warmth, look them in the eyes, initiate conversations, and smile. Do all of these things as often as you can.
They are subtle ways of telling them they matter. A mark of effective parenting.
Empathize with your children
One of the parenting principles in this modern era is the recognition of everyone’s feelings. And this is a practice that should be evident in the home. No matter how young kids are whether their concerns are petty, be intentional in recognizing these. This is a parenting tactic meant to show children that you care.
What to do: Do not dismiss their concerns as unimportant. Acknowledge their feelings and give them the assurance that you are a source of help they can count on.
Do not create a mini-me
Matching clothes, similar mannerisms, and like temperaments. It might seem cute on camera, but creating a mini version of yourself in kids is unhealthy. When we instill and enforce the same principles to our kids, we rid them of the opportunity of discovering themselves. Effective parenting is recognizing that they might share different principles and accepting it for what it is.
When you validate their existence and accept them, you strengthen your parent child relationship.
What to do: Recognize that they are not extensions of you. Instill principles and values, but do not forcefully shape them to your own image.
Establish boundaries and consequences
Unstructured parenting is similar to starting a business without a business plan to serve as a guide. It becomes a weak point in parenting when the process goes freestyle. Prevent this by establishing boundaries and expectations for kids. But it is important to make them understand these rules, so that abiding by them will be easier.
When these rules are broken, age-appropriate consequences will help in steering kids in the right direction. Although you must practice acceptance and validation, there are certain boundaries that kids must respect and this is where you guide them towards.
Although it might seem counterintuitive for an improved parent child relationship to correct them. There are characters and behaviors you need to straighten out early on.
What to do: Set house rules and set actionable expectations from the kids. Provide consequences for mistakes. Make sure to explain the importance of these.
Set a problem-solving mindset to conflicts
One effective parenting attitude is keeping your emotions in check. When you react impulsively whenever conflicts arise might discourage them from seeking your counsel. When your child encounters a problem, try to look for solutions rather than punishing them.
Punishments that are uncalled for are counterproductive to your goal of establishing a good parent child relationship. It only adds insult to injury and demoralizes the kid.
What to do: When they come to you with concerns, keep your composure and be cool. Address it together by solving the problem. Eliminate the shouting and spanking as it will not help in addressing the concern.
Spend meaningful time together
More than just the meaningful interactions and exchanges with kids throughout the day. A dedicated moment to bond with children is essential for their development. You can stream a children’s movie online and watch it together, although keep in check the recommended screen time for kids.
Another option is to play together. Although there is a wide selection of games and toys to choose from, science toys for kids are the best option. Not only are these toys enjoyable, but they also encourage bonding with the parents and cultivate self-learning. Concepts they can use especially when they grow older. One option you can pick is our microscope for kids.
What to do: Think of bonding activities that both you and your child can enjoy together. As mentioned above, it can be watching kids' films or playing and even cooking. What matters is you make the best out of the moment.
Create Important Family Rituals
Another effective parenting strategy is to create lifelong rituals. These routines are dedicated family moments that kids can look forward to. It helps in establishing a sense of security and it can be a safe space for children. That no matter how hectic your schedules as parents may be, there is a moment within the week they look forward to spending time with you. This routine activity can be lunch-outs every Sunday or game night every Friday.
What to do: Think of a bonding moment for the family where everyone can participate. An activity that you can always fulfill and attend to, no matter how the week goes. This is how you establish a family ritual and condition kids’ minds to look forward to it.
Improved parent child relationship, ensured future
Nothing beats playing with children in the conquest of revitalizing your relationship with them. But games and toys are not only platforms to bond, but also to inculcate learnings and concepts that kids can use in their education. Science toys for kids open the doors for both bonding and learning.
TheSTEMKids portable microscope and microscope slide kits are options you can choose from for this purpose. Guide your kids as you both explore the microscopic world. Teach them as they through the adventure. And watch your parent child relationship fortify through these STEM toys.
Enjoy a 15% DISCOUNT on your purchase and FREE DELIVERY directly to your doorstep.