Building a positive, caring relationship with your child begins at birth, and grows with you and your child. The relationship you build will impact your child’s health, behaviour, relationships, mental health and happiness.
Parenting is not an easy job, and there’s no formula for success. Remember that you aren’t perfect, and neither is your child. But you are your child’s first window into how the world should work, and how people should behave with each other. They learn by watching and listening to you.
A positive parent-child relationship involves communication, negotiation, trust and lots of praise and love. As you build your relationship, your children will feel loved and secure and that attachment will help them to make healthy decisions and choices with your guidance and support.
Positive family relationships can:
- Help children feel secure and loved
- Encourage positive social behaviour
- Make solving problems easier
- Build self esteem and confidence in your kids
At times your child will act in a way that’s not OK. It can be frustrating to deal with a child who is acting out, but kids don’t have the same range of words and skills to deal with their emotions that you do, so it’s up to you to listen for the need hiding behind the outburst. Techniques like positive discipline may help to give you the tools to encourage your child to act in ways that you support, without harming the relationship that you are building.
As kids get older, it’s tempting to transition from being their parent to something more like a friend. But teenagers and young adults need you to be a positive role model and set expectations around their behaviour, while understanding that they are growing and expressing new parts of their identity.
To build a positive parent/caregiver relationship with your child, first, be kind to yourself and remember you aren’t perfect. Parenting is a journey that you take together with your child. They have a lot to teach you, just as you have a lot to teach them.
Second, remember that kids needs change as they get older but they always need love, support and encouragement from a parent or caregiver, and that your support can protect their future health and well-being.
Learns tips and tools to help you build relationships with your kids, no matter what their age.