Communication is key for any relationship to succeed and parents are not locked out among the group of people who need to enjoy a healthy rapport with their children as they grow up through the years.
Below are ways in which a parent can ensure they maintain a healthy relationship with their children from 0-years to their teenage years where most turn rebellious.
1. 0 - 2 years.
Touch is the first form of communication, respond to baby talks with conversation, talking to your child despite his comprehension encourages language skills, and use tone and body language to enhance what you say.
2. 3 - 5 years.
Give your child complete attention when possible, help your child to put words to his emotions, watch your tone and body language, offer limited choices and simple explanations, and use the help strategy to develop emotional regulation skills.
3. 6 - 11 years.
Make time to talk, laugh with your child and admit your mistakes, speak with your child in a respectful manner that presumes a level of maturity, listen without contradicting and repeat what you heard in a more mature manner, allow your child to have some input in family rules, and when trying to get information from your child ask specific questions and keep talking even if they won't talk back.
4. 12 - 18 years.
Be yourself, a teen is old enough to respect you as an individual, show respect to his or her opinion, talk with him, not at him, respect her privacy, showing that you trust in her will make her confide in you, and find opportunities to talk to your teen.
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