Strengthen parent-child relationships

Parent-child relationships are central to children’s emotional development and later psychosocial health. A strong and healthy relationship between parents and children can help children develop positive attitudes toward themselves and others. In this article, we will look at the different aspects of parent-child relationships, including attachment, communication, interaction, and conflict resolution. We will focus on how to build stronger relationships between parents and children to promote children’s mental health and well-being.

Factors influencing the parent-child relationship

Positive influences

Positive influences on a parent-child relationship can help create a strong bond and healthy relationship between parents and children.

• Loving and mindful communication
• Trust and security in the relationship
• Joint activities and spending time together
• Respectful and appreciative interaction
• Openness to the needs of the child
• Empathy and understanding for the child
• Positive reinforcement and praise for the child
• Fair and consistent education

Negative influences

Negative influences, on the other hand, can strain the relationship and have a negative impact on the child’s development.

• Neglect and lack of attention
• Physical or emotional abuse or maltreatment
• Dishonesty or breach of trust
• Conflicts or lack of conflict resolution
• Unclear expectations or pressure of expectations
• Excessive control or neglect of boundaries
• Stress and excessive demands on parents
• Unbalanced parental interactions, e.g. authoritarian or overprotective

How can I strengthen the relationship with my child?

Es gibt viele Möglichkeiten, die Beziehung zu einem Kind zu stärken. Important factors are open and respectful communication, regular joint activities, positive reinforcement and a balance between give and take. It is also important to respond to the child’s needs and create a stable and safe environment where the child can build confidence and self-esteem. A good relationship with a child can help foster their emotional and social development and give them a strong foundation for life.

Prevention of psychosomatic illnesses in children & adolescents

In order to have a preventive effect on the avoidance of psychosomatic illnesses in children and adolescents, parents can take various measures:

1. Open communication with the child is important. Parents should be open to their children’s problems and concerns and talk to them about them.
2. A stable and loving relationship between parents and child can help to strengthen the child’s self-confidence and self-esteem and reduce stress and psychological strain.
3. A regular daily routine and sufficient sleep can help reduce stress and promote healthy physical and mental development.
4. Parents should make sure that their child gets enough exercise and a balanced diet to promote good physical condition.
5. Parents should reflect on their own emotions and stress management skills and adjust them if necessary to be a good role model for their child.
6. Relaxation exercises and joint leisure activities can help to strengthen the relationship and reduce stress.
7. If necessary, parents should seek professional help early on to identify and treat a mental illness in their child.

A healthy and stable parent-child relationship, a regular daily routine, sufficient sleep, a healthy diet, enough exercise and, if necessary, professional help can help to promote the child’s mental and physical health and thus have a preventive effect on avoiding psychosomatic illnesses.

Published on: 15.03.2023