Strong Family Bonds: 4 Secrets to Keep Parents Connected to Their Kids at All Ages by Roma Khetarpal

One of the most common concerns I get from parents is, “Sometimes I feel disconnected from my child.” The truth is, we all want to develop a strong bond that lasts through adulthood, but, more often than not, life happens, and we end up focusing on getting through the day rather than nourishing what is in front of us. Here are four surefire ways to stay connected to our kids:

• Always listen. There is a big difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is when we pay attention to the sound; listening is when we pay attention to the sound and the source.
• Always show respect. We throw around the word respect very casually, but respect means understanding our kids’ own emotions and personalities.
• Always start with a “yes” to any request. Instead of saying, “No, honey, we can’t go to the movie," we can say, “Yes, honey, that sounds like a great movie. Let's plan on doing that this weekend.”
• Always have good food around. Passing down family food traditions to our kids is an important way to forge a long-lasting bond and build our relationships with them.

These secrets will help you build relationships and stay connected with your kids at any stage and age.