No matter how much time we spend with our youngest, how much we look forward to them and enjoy them, sometimes we feel that we are not connected with them enough. Children are an immense joy. They are so sweet and fill us with pride that, fortunately, we can no longer imagine life without them. Then again, sometimes it's like we just don't understand them in the least and they can drive us crazy.
How to establish a better relationship with a child? Children go through different stages of their development and change, which is sometimes difficult for parents to accept. This most often happens between the ages of 2 and 4. This is a really turbulent period, with big changes in behavior, outpourings of emotions. That's when it is very difficult to maintain a good relationship with the child, while at the same time maintaining discipline at the level. Sometimes we simply wonder how to build a better relationship with a child.
We reveal to you 5 ways to establish a better relationship with your child.
1. Share fun activities
At the age of two or three, your child experiences various feelings that are unknown to him, and there are also outbursts of anger. The child does not know how to handle it, but at the same time they learn various new skills. This could make it difficult to connect with them. Engage in fun activities that are key to your child's development and help them release frustrations. It can be "normal" conversation or role playing.
Role playing is useful because it allows the child to develop skills, necessary to solve problems and tries to understand what he observed in his environment. In addition, such a game stimulates their imagination, and playing builds their confidence and improves your relationship. At some point, your child will begin to play with various toys, as well as objects that are not toys but are seen in the environment.
Engage in fun activities that are key to your child's development and help them release frustrations.Photo: Gustavo Fing/Pexels
2. Be present
This does not mean that you sit next to the child and you type on your mobile phone. Focus all your attention on the child and devote yourself to him, listen to his needs and wishes. We all need attention, but it is extremely important for a child at this stage of development, as it helps him gain social and cognitive skills. In addition, it instills confidence in the child that he can rely on someone whenever he needs him, so he will take risks more easily and thus learn more.
Be present and do not use mobile phones or computers near the child. Give him your time.Photo. Yan Krakau/Pexels
But sometimes it is it is useful to ignore the child. For example, when he behaves badly or when he doesn't listen to you at all. This is a great way to let him know that this behavior is not acceptable and that he will lose your attention when he behaves like this. Children love attention and if you reward them with your attention when they misbehave, that will be their reward.
3. Eat as a family
This is not only important for a healthy diet, but is a great way to bonding with family, including you and your child. While sitting at the dining table with the family, the child can get to know his family members better, and it gives you the opportunity to reach a new level of bonding, because the child feels safe and satisfied. Also, the conversations he hears during meals can affect the child's vocabulary treasure and expression, communication abilities. Of course, they are not expected to speak perfectly, but such an environment can be a great stimulus for learning.
4. Set healthy boundaries
Children do not have innate boundaries of good and bad behavior. They need it guidance and attention, to figure out what they can and can't do, and the best way to do that is to set healthy boundaries. Even though they are still young, children can tell if you appreciate what they have done just by your facial expression, tone of voice and gestures. Talking to the child, then not an unnecessary waste of energy, because he himself is trying to process what you want to communicate to him. Whenever a child breaks a rule, they should always feel the same age-appropriate consequence. For example, holidays or "time out" or temporary removal of a certain toy. In any case, you must be sure that the child understands what did he do wrong, to know why he feels the consequences.
5. Empathize
If you don't want your child to be insensitive to other people, you are take your time and show him to sympathize with him. It's important to show them you're listening and let them know you understand what's bothering them. When the little one runs to you in search of attention, help, if he wants to play, try to see things with his point of view and comfort him. In this way, the child will not only develop a relationship with you, but will trust you even more.
