8 Techniques to Remain Emotionally Connected to Your Child without Intruding

When it comes to emotional availability, less is sometimes more. Kids, particularly teens, too your support can be present without being intrusive. Here are suggestions to remain connected without being overbearing.

The Balance

• Maintain a close, but not overly involved proximity. No hovering. Allow them to create without you nearby commenting. Just be nearby.
• Questions should be generally curious instead of pointed and direct. Instead of “How was your day?’ try, ‘What was the most surprising thing that happened to you today?’”
• You don’t need to hover, but be available. Don’t invade their message checking space, but make it understood that they have access to you anytime.
• Create the environment of first expressing through your own feelings. Be the first to say, ‘I had a frustrating day at work.’ It opens the door to the contagious environment you are trying to create.
• Trying to create a relationship environment should not solely be an advice giving one. Make it understood that you are present to listen, and not to provide solutions.
• Appreciate the little things. These moments do not need to be extraordinary to be celebrated. Use the opportunities to appreciate the “just because” things.
• Have time bonding activities that do not require them to do anything. To create time for closeness with rituals that are not goal oriented, spend time doing an activity you both like that does not require them to put in extra effort in terms of a walk, breakfast, or show.
• This is most important, and comes with it’s own subtle challenges. As they need more space and time to themselves, you need to make your presence more available, while gently closing the gap to where they are.

Making sure you are the most trusted and approached parent is better than making them feel like they can approach you for a friendship.

Which of these do you already do? Which one will you start? ��

#EmotionalCloseness #HealthyParenting #ParentChildRelationship #ParentWithPurpose #AttachmentParenting