The Importance of a Healthy Parent-Child Relationship

There are two things we should give our children: one is roots and the other is wings. - Hodding Carter

Children are curious, free-spirited, resilient little beings that absorb the world around them like a sponge. Bringing up children can be quite a task if we don’t understand the importance of their physical, emotional, and social development.

Parenting Puzzling?

Children are clean slates that are yet to learn the ways of the world. They do not realise the complications that exist in the adult world. Adults are generally used to saying something and doing something else, so the problem arises when children expect us to do exactly as we say. So how do we reinforce a positive relationship, based on transparency that helps them grow up with a positive outlook on life?

Some of the benefits of good parent-child relationship includes:

· A good sense of belonging to a community is build when parents establish a healthy relationship

· Children are able to better regulate their emotions when under stress and difficult situations

· It helps children promote the child’s mental, linguistic, and emotional development

· Helps them maintain an optimistic outlook on life

· Better social and academic status is built

· The attachment allows children to lead a healthy social, emotional, cognitive, and motivational development

· Children gain strong problem-solving skills when they are taught to build strong relationships, starting from home

Embrace Parenthood

1. Tell them you love them. As much as you can. We are social beings who need acknowledgement and attachment to live a fulfilling life. So when you express your love and concern, children tend to grow up to be wholesome.
2. Play with them. Give into their world! Children appreciate the time you spend with them and it goes a long way when you show them you care and think the things they do are important. Besides, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to forget your responsibilities and just become a child again!
3. Be available. Listen to them. This gives them a sense of self-responsibility. They understand the importance of experiences when you talk to them and help them analyse the situations they find themselves in.
4. Dine together. It allows them a stage to discuss, open up and connect with the family. But make sure that you set a constructive platform so they feel comfortable and not confronted. This does not only allow the children to be more vocal but it also tells them that you empathise.
5. Spend one-on-one time. If you have more than one child, it is important to give each of them individual attention. Be more than a parent, be their best friend!

Discipline with Positivity

Now to talk about the most important point. DISCIPLINING. While some parents think it healthy to completely let the reins go, that isn’t the case when it comes to positive parenting. So how do we strike the balance?

• Refrain from physical punishment — it establishes that it is okay to physically express anger and disappointment.
• Choose to bring up a mentally sound child and not a child ridden with expectations.
• Talk about the consequences of their actions when something isn’t right.
• Treat them like an equal. It instills a sense of importance and they automatically see the world very differently and act differently.
• Nurture their interests and don’t just treat them as hobbies. It is extremely healthy to allow children to explore their interests, it is the foundation to what they choose to become as an adult.

It’s the little things you do, one day at a time, that leaves a permanent mark on young minds. While you don’t have to stress about parenting to the extreme, it always helps when you pay attention to the fine things of parenting.

When asked, here’s what parents had to say about the nuances of parenting

I generally motivate my child by allowing her to explore, like painting, role playing, practicing worksheets with her and what not! We make sure she always has company and read to her, her favourite Peppa Pig books. Whenever she feels moody, we take her outside to the playground. Playing in the garden, knitting, and watching TV shows are some of her favourite things to do. How would I describe her in three words? Loveable, reliable, and protective.

- Ms. Vandana

I love indulging my child in all sorts of activities that she has set her mind on. We sometimes get together to play ludo, hide-and-go-seek, we sort objects together and spend quality time discussing the ways of the world. She loves it when I transport her with stories that are motivational. Singing and craft making are her primary interests. If I were to describe my daughter, I’d call her ‘my mirror image!’

- Ms. Priyanka

I urge my kids to always imagine the best and encourage them to be involved in creative games. We frequently catch-up for some quality time and watch fun movies like Kung fu Panda and I always make myself available to talk to them and cheer them up when need be. During my office breaks, I sometimes rope them in and play the memory game. My children can be described as “strong, sensitive, and sweet.”

- Ms. Niyatee