6 Steps to help build Parent and Child Relationship

This helps the parent/child relationship and helps us feel good enough. 

Good and bad things happen every day. Do you ever notice we only focus on the bad things that happen and not the good? When we focus on the good things about our child, the bad has less impact on our well-being and the experience of parenting becomes more positive. Tip - Write a daily Journal of all your child’s right actions e.g. They didn’t get in trouble at school today. They are breathing, they helped with the dishes. My child had a ‘wow’ moment in their learning or behaviour today. 

How do you manage your emotions? Cry often. Laugh often. Say YES to fun. Encourage them to talk about their feelings e.g. How do you feel…happy, angry, sad…? 

Allow safe expression of anger, e.g., tear up paper, punch bag in gym. Write or draw their anger, use a Grudge Jar. If your child has special needs, use a visual timetable to ease their frustration or uncertainty of what happens next. 

Let go of expectations that are problematic for you and your child, e.g., academic pressure to succeed, attending numerous after school clubs, etc. 

This can mean observing your child’s change in behaviour and listening and taking their worries seriously. Worry time for 10-15 minutes going through your child’s worry notes can be useful to improve anxiety for child and parent. Older teenagers can write in a journal or in their mobile phones. If after several days their worries have gone then get rid of the note. If not, keep talking about it and find solutions. 

Talk about how your child is feeling. Ask: are you happy, sad, angry? Tell them it's OK to be sad, angry. Use pictures, mood card or emoji to allow expression and help them explain about their worries about school, friendships, or other things. 

Help children think through workable solutions, using pictures or social stories if special needs. Allow them to express their anger/frustration by using a way suited to the family and them, e.g., punch bag in garage, bounce on a trampoline, tear up old newspaper, fifty jumping jacks. Some children with special needs may like fluffy cushions, fidget toys, weighted blanket, or a backpack to use for any sensory overwhelm they may feel. Self-soothe ideas that allow them to calm.