Do you strive to have healthy communication with your child? I hope the only answer you had was yes! So let's talk about some ways you can move toward building that strong unbreakable bond.
What do you need to do to convince your child that they can always depend on you? Would you consider yourself reliable? Or...???
Is there a disconnect between you and your child? I'm going to tell you right now! Plan to spend time with your child EVERY SINGLE DAY! Some of you might say...what about those of us who work ALL OF THE TIME? I would tell you to plan to spend time with your child as many days a week as possible. The quality of time you spend together matters more than the quantity of time.
Wouldn't it be more effective to spend 15 minutes of uninterrupted time with your child 3 times a week instead of an hour everyday where you both sit on the couch buried in your electronic devices. Pay ATTENTION to them! Be AVAILABLE! Give them your UNDIVIDED attention for at least 15 of those 60 minutes that you're sitting on the couch together. When you show up for them consistently, they will know what kind of parent you REALLY are. You show them the kind of relationships they deserve. They will have a certain kind of expectation for the people they surround themselves with. 95 percent of your success or failure can be determined by who you spend your time with.
According to Jill Ceder, LMSW, JD (2020), if you want to be an effective parent, then consistency is one of the most important behaviors to adopt. Consistency will make your child feel secure and less likely to be anxious because they can predict what's going to happen throughout their day. You can look at consistency as time consuming, or you can look at consistency as an investment you are making in the growth and development of your child. When you make an investment in your child, you are making an investment in the future of this world.
Don't you want to be the parent that is responsible for molding your child into a successful adult? Don't you want them to know that they can ALWAYS count on you? When you ALWAYS show up for them, they will ALWAYS have an expectation of reliability in all of their relationships.
Remember...healthy communication leads to healthy relationships.
Sources:
Ceder, Jill. “Why Does Consistency In Parenting Matter?” Raising Kids, Very Well Family, May 13, 2020, www.verywellfamily.com/why-does-consistency-matter-in-parenting-4135227.